By Patrick Baron

NORMAL – An early morning blaze at University Liquors has left the store with structural damage to its roof and heat and smoke damage to its lower level.

Fire crews were called to the store at 706 W. Beaufort St. near Illinois State University around 2:30 this morning and battled the blaze until 6:30. Normal Fire Department Public Information Officer Matt Swaney said the building received heavy smoke and heat damage throughout, though the retail level of the store remains intact. He explained due to the building having only two doorways and a lack of windows, the fire was particularly hazardous for firefighters.

“If, in the course of fighting the fire, the had to evacuate rapidly, or if there was some kind of collapse of the ceiling roof structure, the firefighters could have easily become trapped with no way out,” said Swaney. “Thankfully that wasn’t the case with this fire.”

Crews cut holes in the roof to ventilate the heat and smoke from the building to improve the conditions for those taking on the blaze inside. Swaney said once the holes were cut, the process of putting out the hot spots was significantly improved.

Around 10, firefighters turned the building over to its owners and the insurance company, who are working with a restoration company to secure the business. The store will remain closed until the owners decide the building’s future.

Swaney noted the cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, but said nothing about the fire seemed suspicious. No injuries were reported.

All of the products on the retail level of the store will likely be discarded, in accordance with FDA regulations.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].