Photos and Videos
Sky5 is over the scene of an extra-alarm fire at Empress Casino in Joliet.
Empress Takes $340 Million Fire Hit
Damages still being determined by investigators
Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 | Updated 8:15 AM CDT
The March 20th fire reportedly did about $340 million in damages.
advertisement
It's gotta be the biggest payout ever made at the Empress Casino.
The Joliet Fire Department estimates that the massive March 20 fire, sparked by a construction worker, did about $340 million worth of damage to the complex.
The main part of the casino in Joliet wasn't heavily damaged.
Fire Chief Joe Formhals calls the estimate rough, but says it's required as part of official reports. An Empress spokesman says insurance agents are still working on their own estimates.
The fire department estimate includes $290 million for reconstruction costs and $50 million for losses inside the building.
Empress officials haven't set a reopening date. Based on 2008 figures, the casino could be losing more than a half million dollars daily.
Copyright Associated Press
Top Stories
What's New
Take in some highlights from the newest member of the NBCChicago family. Or find our digital channel on Comcast Channel 341; WOW Channel 130 or RCN Channel 50.
Check Out
© 2012 NBCUniversal, Inc. All rights reserved.
Portions by Broadcast Interactive Media.
A Division of NBCUniversal