Fire damages bar in Byron

A Byron bar known for its off-beat festival was damaged Tuesday in an early morning fire.

Firemen from 14 departments battled a blaze that gutted the Union Street Station, At the intersection of Ill. 2 and N. Union St., about two and one-half hours after closing time.

"It was a very substantial fire," said Byron Assistant Fire Chief Chris Millard. "It went to a second alarm. Thirteen departments from northern Illinois came to assist us. There's extensive fire damage inside."

The bar, owned by Larry Rose, Byron, is well-known for the Turkey Testicle Festival, an event held every October since 1979.

The fire was reported at 3:31 a.m., Millard said, and firemen arrived a few minutes later to find heavy smoke in the entire block and fire in the structure.

"Our firemen attempted to enter the building and were driven back," he said. "We had to take a defensive approach."

The bar had closed at 1 a.m. and no one was there when the fire started, he said.

Millard said late Tuesday morning that the cause and point of origin of the fire have not yet been determined.

"We probably won't know for sure for a couple of days," he said. "It does not appear to be suspicious."

The Illinois State Fire Marshal is helping Byron with the investigation.

Millard said one firemen fighting the fire was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure for a medical condition, and was treated and released.

The Oregon, Mt. Morris, Polo, Forreston, Leaf River, and Stillman Valley Fire Departments were among the 13 that responded with mutual aid to Byron.