ALBANY PARK — The extra-alarm fire that destroyed two beloved neighborhood businesses and left several people without homes Monday started in a building owned by a landlord with a history of building violations and problematic properties, a state representative and neighbors said.
The fire broke out about 3:30 a.m. in a multi-unit residential building in the 4300 block of North Richmond, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Neighbors said the fire started in a three-story building on the corner and quickly spread to the Twisted Hippo brewpub, 2925 W. Montrose Ave. and the Ultimate Ninjas Gym.
Neighbors reported hearing explosions in the brewery as the fire raged inside. One side of the building collapsed, dropping bricks atop parked cars and crushing them.
A 60-year-old man suffering from smoke inhalation was taken to Swedish Hospital in serious-to-critical condition, according to the Fire Department. No other injuries were reported.
Resident Joe Bradtke said the fire started in a building owned by landlord Gary Carlson that neighbors the brewery. Carlson owns at least 60 buildings with more than 500 apartments in and around Albany Park and Irving Park, including the Lawndale Avenue building, according to a 2016 investigation by the Sun-Times and the Better Government Association.
Carlson’s buildings have logged hundreds of code violations over the years and more recently have been the sites of deadly shootings and other issues.
Bradtke said residents of Carlson’s building were known for partying, drug use and throwing trash onto the roof of his building.
State Rep. Jaime Andrade also confirmed the fire started in the building owned by Carlson.
“You had a bad feeling that something was going to happen with that building … and it did,” he said.
Andrade said Carlson’s properties have been an issue in the neighborhood and the landlord is currently tied up in court cases regarding these issues.
Albany Park resident Brian Pudil said he woke to shouting and went to his living room to see an orange hue from the huge blaze across the street. He saw the fire starting to spread to Twisted Hippo and within 30 minutes heard explosions and saw the side of the building collapse, crushing cars on Richmond Avenue.
“It was really intense,” Pudil said. “We were getting ready to leave our building because the windows were cracking and the vinyl siding on the garage next door was melting.”
About 150 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze. As of 8:30 a.m., crews had the fire under control. It was put out by 9:20 a.m.
Marilee Rutherford, owner of Twisted Hippo, said she got a call from a neighbor about the fire around 4 a.m. Monday.
“You know, we’ve worked so hard to to be a part of the community and give
the space to the community,” she said. “[I] just literally don’t know what
the future is going to look like. But I will say this: I’m so grateful for everything we have been able to build here. … And it’s all gonna be okay. We don’t have problems. We have solutions waiting to happen. So we’ll see how it all goes.”
Andrade said he’s been getting calls all morning from neighbors devastated by the fire.
“It’s very devastating for the community,” he said. “Yes, insurance is gonna cover everything but it’s just it’s a complete loss. … It’s just that we’re in disbelief. Everyone’s in disbelief.”
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Chicago Fire Department
Credit: Chicago Fire Department
Credit: Chicago Fire Department
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