Kankakee Auto Shop Destroyed by Fire

An auto repair shop went up in flames early Thursday morning in Kankakee. 

Firefighters arrived to Ty’s Repair and MC Body Shop on Chicago and Court streets just before 2:30 a.m. after reports of explosions that were heard. 

More than a dozen cars were inside at the time, likely that of the repair shop’s customers, as dozens of crews from more than five surrounding cities battled the mounting blaze. 

Kankakee Fire Chief Ron Young said one of his firefighters suffered minor injuries as the structure’s roof collapsed and walls blew out while fighting the flames. 

“He was hit with falling debris,” Young said. “He was treated and released back to the scene.” 

Crews shut off the power supply for a 3-block radius surrounding the burning building while they got the heavy smoke and flames under control. Young said their biggest concern was the fire spreading to other nearby buildings. 

Authorities say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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