Momence, IL – Firefighters from across Kankakee County battled a massive overnight blaze Saturday at the shuttered Red Cedar Lanes in Momence, with flames breaking out shortly before 2 a.m.
According to the Momence Fire Protection District, Riverside R-11 was first on scene and reported heavy fire in the rear of the former bowling alley. The fire was quickly upgraded, drawing mutual aid from 17 departments across the region. Crews surrounded the building with aerial trucks and established a defensive operation due to the building’s unstable truss roof, which officials described as extremely dangerous under fire conditions.
Water supply challenges forced firefighters to shuttle water using tankers and set up a secondary supply from the Kankakee River. Concrete was later brought in to stabilize walls so crews could safely reach hotspots. Units remained on site until after 6 a.m.
Red Cedar Lanes, originally opened in 1959, closed its doors in 2017 and had since fallen into disrepair. Officials said its bowstring truss roof had long been marked as unsafe for interior operations.
The Momence Fire Protection District extended thanks to all responding agencies, noting that widespread collaboration was key in containing the fire. No injuries were reported.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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