'Heartbreaking': Photos Show Fire's Destruction Of Tri-Star Cabinets

Community Corner

'Heartbreaking': Photos Show Fire's Destruction Of Tri-Star Cabinets A fire destroyed nearly all of Tri-Star Cabinet Co. New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann called the fire devastating for the family and town.

NEW LENOX, IL — A massive fire erupted at New Lenox community staple Thursday morning, a blow to a longtime local business.

The three-alarm fire broke out at Tri-Star Cabinet and Top Co., 1000 S. Cedar Rd. at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The cause of the fire is not yet known, Mayor Tim Baldermann said, but the warehouse portion of the business sustained most of the fire damage. The blaze sent thick, black smoke billowing into the air—visible even from miles away—and took crews hours to extinguish.

The offices and showrooms sustained mostly water and smoke damage, and though likely not a total loss, the damage to the business as a whole is extensive.

"Big, big loss," Baldermann stressed Thursday afternoon, following a media briefing.

All 60 to 70 employees present at the time were able to evacuate safely, Baldermann said. No injuries have been reported.

Crews were still working on extinguishing the blaze at 1 p.m., though by then the fire had been brought under control, fire officials said. Residents nearby were encouraged, though not mandated, to evacuate, as the smoke and fumes spread. The New Lenox Fire Protection District worked with the EPA to ensure air quality maintained a safe level.

Tri-Star is a third-generation business owned and operated by the Wilda family. It has been in business in New Lenox for 60 years, Baldermann said.

"Not only is it an amazing business, the family are good people," Baldermann said. "They are great community people."

Baldermann said the Village will do what it can to help the business recover.

"It would be difficult to see this happen to any family, but when it happens to a family like theirs, that has given so much to the community over the last 60 years, it's beyond heartbreaking," Baldermann said.

"We'll do everything we can to get them back as quickly as they can, but it's a tough one."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.