Fire causes extensive damage to Joliet's Patrick C. Haley Mansion
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- Flames ripped through the Patrick C. Haley Mansion – a popular venue for weddings and other events – in Joliet late Wednesday afternoon.
The Joliet Fire Department posted video of the scene on South Center Street on the city's west side which showed heavy smoke coming from the top of the three-story castle-like building.
Joliet fire officials said its truck crews vented the roof and found heavy fire in the attic. Crews entered the second floor to open the ceiling to attack the fire.
The department said the fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes.
As CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reported, no one was hurt in the fire. But it is not known what is going to happen to all the weddings and events scheduled for the space.
There was plenty of smoke damage, broken windows, and a massive hole in the roof following the fire. All of that will need to be repaired before the space can reopen.
In fighting the blaze, Joliet firefighters had to cut holes to open the ceiling and climb into the attic of the building to get access to the roof. That is where they believe the fire started.
"The whole roof is on fire, and I was like, oh, that's no good for the mansion," said Norma Sliekpa.
Sliekpa and her son, Liam, live across the street. She says she has loved waking up to a piece of history in her front yard.
"It's really nice to have," Sliekpa said. "For example, us – we can look out the window and see it. It's beautiful."
Construction of the 8,600-square-foot Haley Mansion began in 1891, according to the venue's website. It was built for Patrick Columbus Haley, a renowned attorney who represented towns and businesses throughout the Chicago area.
Haley also served as mayor of Joliet and at one point ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress, according to the mansion website.
Architect and Egyptologist Frank Shaver Allen helped create the mansion. Its design features Gaelic insignias cut in the limestone facing Center Street to honor Irish heritage, according to the mansion website.
The mansion later served as a funeral home before being turned into a private event space. The history has been preserved for years, and even the ornate windows are still intact.
The Haley Mansion is a special place for thousands of brides who had their special day there – including Kim Zaruba.
"We were looking for venues to get married," Zaruba said. "I just love old spaces, I do. I love the character and the history of what they have to offer, and stories to tell."
Originally form North Chicago, Zaruba and her husband, C.J., got married at the Haley Mansion in 2002.
"There is something really personal about where you got married – something you always remember," Zaruba said. "We even brought our kids there."
Zaruba is heartbroken for the space that means so much to her family – and the brides who may not get to share those same memories.
"It's a special place, and I certainly hope that there is minimal damage and they can preserve it," she said.
What started the fire remained under investigation late Wednesday.
There was no word from the owners of the property Wednesday night on whether future events will be canceled, exactly what is damaged on the interior, or how long it will take to rebuild.
