Mother's Day Fire Guts Camelot Banquet Hall

Cause of fire at Hickory Hills banquets facility still under investigation, ABC-7 reports.

Fire ripped through a Hickory Hills banquet hall early Sunday morning causing significant damage and disrupting planned Mother's Day and First Communion parties. Several south suburban fire departments responded to a fire at Camelot Banquets, 8624 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills, around 7:14 a.m. Sunday. ABC-7 News reported that the fire started in the kitchen. No guests had arrived at the Camelot and there were no injuries, thanks to a  quick-thinking Hickory Hills police officer. Two sisters who are part of the family that owns the Camelot told ABC-7 they owe their lives to the police officer. Both were taking a quick nap inside the office after working through the night preparing the hall for Sunday's parties. Sign up for the Oak Lawn …

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Fire Victim James Brewer's Memorial Mass Set for Saturday

Services for homeless man that burned to death will be held at Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic Church in Chicago Ridge starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Memorial Service for Homeless Fire Victim Set for Saturday

Family wishes to invite Good Samaritans who tried to help James Brewer when he was on fire to his memorial service this Saturday.

The homeless man that died earlier this month when he was found burning in next to some dumpsters is finally being laid to rest. A memorial service for James “Jim” Brewer is being planned for this Saturday (April 27) at Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic Church in Chicago Ridge. Sign up for the Oak Lawn Patch newsletter and follow us on Facebook. Brewer was declared dead at the scene after some citizens reported a man engulfed in flames during the evening of April 2. As citizens waited for first responders to arrive, they tried to put out the fire on Brewer. At the time of his death, police said that Brewer had been living in a makeshift shelter behind some businesses at 99th Street and Southwest Highway. His older sister, Debbie Palumbo, said…

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How to Help Residents Displaced by Condo Building Blaze

A Saturday afternoon fire left almost 70 Morgan Park residents without a home or personal belongings. Find out how to help your neighbors in need.

Almost 70 residents of a Morgan Park condo building have been left without homes after a Saturday fire.  The 3-11 alarm blaze caused the partial collapse of large portions of the 34-unit building's interior. Over 120 firefighter responded to the fire at 2030 W. 111th Street around 2:20 p.m. on Nov. 24.  Read: UPDATED: 5-Story Morgan Park Condo Building Gutted By Fire Local officials are calling on area residents to pitch in and help those affected by the blaze. Ald. Matt O'Shea of the 19th Ward and State Rep. Monique Davis are working together to collect donations for those who have been displaced from their homes.  Donations of gift cards good at stores like Target, Kohl's, Jewel, Walgreens, or general Visa gift cards are being collected…

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Fire That Destroys Two Harleys Ruled Accidental

Garage appears to have caught fire by accident and no investigation is required, police say.

Two Harley Davidson motorcycles valued at $40,000 were destroyed in a garage fire on June 11. Police spoke with the homeowner who said he heard five or six popping or poofing sounds at 5:35 a.m. coming from the garage on the 10000 block of South 53rd Avenue. The homeowner had begun replacing the roof and siding on the garage, reports said. Inside the garage were various auto parts, mechanics tools, gasoline and two motorcycles. Police said the doors to the garage were locked. The fire was ruled accidental and no fire investigation was required.

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