DeKALB – Crews responded to a structure fire Friday in the building that once housed Fanatico Italian restaurant.

DeKalb authorities Friday evening asked the public to avoid a portion of Blackhawk Road.

The former restaurant at 1215 Blackhawk Road closed in 2021.

Emergency crews and firefighters could be seen dousing the building with water about 6:15 p.m. Friday. Smoke could be seen coming from the building.

A citywide emergency alert was sent at 5:58 p.m. Friday asking the public to avoid the 1200 block of Blackhawk Road as the DeKalb Fire Department responds to a structure fire on the city’s north side.

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A firefighter tries to open a window to vent smoke at the site of a structure fire Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in the building that once housed Fanatico Italian restaurant at 1215 Blackhawk Road in DeKalb. (Mark Busch)

This story was update dat 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 2023 with additional photos from Daily Chronicle staff.