Qik’n’EZ in Normal closed for an extended period of time after fire

Posted on August 7, 2018
An early morning fire billowed smoke from the convenient store located on Vernon Ave. (Normal Fire Dept.)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Firefighters swarmed a convenient store early Tuesday morning after smoke could be seen pouring out of the roof of the building.

Normal Firefighters received the call to the Qik’n’EZ at 1510 E. Vernon Ave. around 3 a.m.

“There was no visible fire initially, but heavy smoke throughout the retail space and coming from the roof of the building. During operations fire was found burning the wooden roof trusses above the suspended ceiling through the majority of the roof space,” Normal Fire said in a news release. “Fire crews pulled the suspended ceiling tiles down so they could get into the open space between the ceiling at the roof.”

Firefighters found fire burning the wooden roof trusses above the suspended ceiling through the majority of the roof space. (Normal Fire Dept.)

NFD say that at this time there has been no official determination of the cause and the fire remains under investigation.

“Qik’N’EZ will remain closed for an extended period while the business works with their insurance company to determine the next steps for the site,” NFD said. “There is no official damage estimate, however damage to the contents and structure were extensive.”

The business was closed at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries reported during operations.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…