Former Chicago Firehouse Featured in 'Backdraft' Burns

Dec. 10--Chicago firefighters were tasked with an emotional assignment in the South Loop on Wednesday: Trying to save a historic former fire station from being destroyed in an extra-alarm fire.

"It's a little heartbreaking," said Deputy District Chief John Shehan, who was on the scene Wednesday afternoon when the fire caved in the building's roof. "It's a shame."

The firehouse-turned-restaurant at 1401 S. Michigan Ave. has hosted a president, movie stars and served as one of former Mayor Daley's favorite eateries.

It is architecturally significant as well, according to Bonnie McDonald, president of Landmarks Illinois, who confirmed the building was designated as a landmark in 2003.

"It is a legitimate historic resource ... it's a significant building that we believe can be rebuilt,'' said McDonald.

"I think what's wonderful is to see the outpouring of support from the firefighters themselves because many of them remember it being a firehouse ... it's important for us to reuse this place as a landmark to firefighters,'' McDonald said.

Shehan remembers it because his father, a firefighter himself, used to take Shehan along on visits to the station in the early 1970s, where he could explore the building and play handball as a child.

The extra-alarm fire started by accident at about 10:20 a.m. while roofers were working on top of the building, according to CFD spokesman Juan Hernandez. The building was evacuated of construction workers and retaurant employees and everyone was out safely.The blaze was under control by about 12:15 p.m. after its roof collapsed.

Fire commissioner Jose Santiago used to work from the building when it housed firefighters, according to Hernandez. Once Santiago learned of the fire, "he focused all efforts on extinguishing it," Hernandez said. The building last served as a firehouse in the late 1990s, according to a CFD spokesman.

Hernandez said every effort was made to preserve the building, though since the roof had collapsed it would "take a lot of motivation to be rebuilt, and we hope that it is, because obviously it's a nice, iconic area."

The owner, Matthew O'Malley, said in a statement that he was grateful that no one was hurt in the fire. He also said they plan to rebuild.

"We owe it to our history, our team and our community to preserve this treasured Chicago landmark which will remain a cornerstone of the South Loop neighborhood. Without hesitation or reservation we will rebuild! We have an unwavering commitment to our dedicated employees and all those who have patronized us so faithfully. We look forward to serving you again soon."

The station was built for horse-drawn fire equipment in 1905 to serve the fashionable Prairie Avenue neighborhood, according to the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant's website. Prominent families such as the McCormicks and Palmers built homes in the area after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.

"Its Romanesque Revival-style details ... make it one of the more distinctive and handsome firehouses in the City," states the city's Chicago Landmarks website. The building, designed by Charles F. Hermann, features elaborate brick and limestone detailing and arched windows. Most of the facade was kept intact when the building was converted to a restaurant in 2000, and the metal sliding poles, lockers and tin ceilings also were retained.

Firefighters were based there for decades. It was home base for Engine Company 104 and, according to Shehan, an arson investigation unit.

The 1991 Ron Howard movie "Backdraft," about firefighterbrothers on the trail of an arsonist, was partially filmed there.

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant was a favorite of Daley's who lived nearby. He hosted former President George W. Bush's 60th birthday dinner there in 2006.

In 2013, Northbrook Bank and Trust filed a foreclosure suit against O'Malley which is pending.

O'Malley also is a subject of a pending 2011 lawsuit brought by the city. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration contended that the lease of the Park Grill, which O'Malley invested in, is invalid. Emanuel said the deal is unfair to taxpayers.