Fire closes Joliet casino

March 20, 3:04 PMChicago Casino ExaminerClay Champlin

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Chicago Casino Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Around 10 o'clock this morning, a loudspeaker announcement at the Empress casino in Joliet asked gamblers to evacuate the boat. They were told is was because a small fire had broken out, and they could return in about an hour. As it turned out, they'd be away from the tables and slots a little longer.

Some drywall caught fire in the pavilion area where a $50 million renovation was taking place.

The pavilion is attached to the casino, and so far there's been no damage to the casino floor. Still, there won't be any gambling there the rest of the day.

Fire and emergency equipment from surrounding communities were called in to help contain the blaze. As of 3PM the fire had been contained, but smoke continues to billow from the pavilion.

Investigators blamed the fire on a welder installing an oven hood.

500 people were in the pavilion area when the fire broke out. Two were taken to the hospital. Those injuries are reportedly not life threatening

The Empress was the first casino built in the Chicago area in the early '90's.