Police, firefighters and paramedics from Libertyville responded about 1:01 p.m. Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 to a report of a fire at Austin’s Saloon & Eatery, 481 Peterson Road in Libertyville.
A 9-1-1 caller reported that there was a big eruption of flames from a “propane tank” and that a buffet table ignited inside the restaurant.
A patron, who was at the restaurant with his family, also provided an eyewitness account of the fire, posting his experience at Easter brunch on Sunday …
“Very scary scene at Austin’s in Libertyville. Had just finished up Easter brunch and was filling up a coffee cup when I heard a loud noise and felt heat behind me to turn around and see the entire buffet table ablaze. My family was sitting upstairs in the Fuel room so I quickly ran back to get them and we all got out safely. The staff did a good job to evacuate people and I think all patrons got out safely though I saw one man who appeared to have suffered from some smoke inhalation.”
— John Coyne
Police were first on the scene and reported that three people were possibly injured. Four people were eventually discovered complaining of an issue with smoke inhalation. One person was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
MABAS Division 4 Box Alarm on Box #46-11 was activated by 1:12 p.m.
The Box Alarm was struck out by 1:22 PM. All ambulances assigned to the scene were assigned to continue in after the Box Alarm was struck out — possibly has a precaution.
Most fire crews were released from the scene by 2:00 p.m.
CARDINAL NEWS was not able to confirm if the ignition was actually related to a propane tank or other fuel at the time of the publishing of this article.
ran back to get them and we all got out safely. The staff did a good job to evacuate people and I think all patrons got out safely though I saw one man who appeared to have suffered from some smoke inhalation
— John Coyne (@j0hnc0yne) March 31, 2024
The information in this article is an early report published before any official summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
DEVELOPING IF CONTENT IS AVAILABLE …
Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. Includes links to favorite public safety and emergency rescuers and product manufacturers and safety companies that have facebook pages. Submit your pictures or just stay up-to-date on with fire, rescue, EMS and police photo galleries. Please add your public safety photo to the wall album — go direct to the Arlington Cardinal Emergencies Behind the Scenes photos. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor