Oct 30, 2008 12:33 pm US/Central
2 Severely Burned In Naperville Restaurant Fire
Explosion, Fire Rocked Gigi's Pancake House And Restaurant
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) ―
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An explosion and fire rocked Gigi's Pancake House and Restaurant in Naperville overnight.
CBS
Two people have been hospitalized after an explosion and fire at a Naperville restaurant.
The explosion happened just before 11 p.m. at Gigi's Pancake House and Restaurant, at 2728 Hassert Blvd. (111th Street) in Naperville.
When firefighters arrived, they found the front wall of the restaurant had been dislodged and the windows had blown out, according to the Naperville Fire Department. Fire and smoke were visible from the roof.
Two people were found in the back of the building, according to the fire department. Both had suffered from burn injuries, and fire personnel began treating them immediately as others fought the fire.
Firefighters cut a hole in the roof so smoke and heat could escape, and finally put out the fire.
Two men were taken from the scene with serious to critical burn injuries, according to the fire department. They were initially taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville, then transferred by helicopter to the burn unit at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
The men were found in the rear of the building. One was "severely burned" and the other was "walking around." Both were believed to be employees, Naperville police Cmdr. Joel Truemper said.
Naperville Fire Chief Mike Zywanski the men suffered burns over 40 percent to 50 percent of their bodies.
Zywanski confirmed there was not only structural damage to the front of the building but also to the load-bearing wall that separates the restaurant from Michael Graham Salon, located next door.
The eatery is a pancake house specializing in lunch and dinner -- especially Greek foods. The restaurant's Web site points out that owner and host Peter Ladias has more than 30 years of restaurant experience.
The cause of the explosion and fire are under investigation by the Naperville fire and police departments. The restaurant sustained severe damage, but an estimate has not been released. The restaurant was closed at the time the fire broke out.
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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