That’s Amore Pizza in Crystal Lake closed following pizza oven fire that spread to roof

A fire that started in a pizza oven in a downtown Crystal Lake restaurant spread into the oven’s ductwork and eventually the roof of the business, leading to its temporary closure, fire officials said.

That’s Amore Pizza, at 105 N. Main St. along a busy strip across the street from the downtown Crystal Lake Metra station, sustained “minimal damage” but temporarily will be closed as it conducts repairs, the restaurant said in a Facebook post.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department first was notified of the fire at 9:18 p.m. by restaurant employees, and the first unit arrived at the scene at 9:22 p.m., according to a news release.

Employees used three fire extinguishers to try and control the flames, but the fire spread into the oven’s ductwork and to the roof of the business, fire officials said.

The fire was declared under control at 9:46 p.m., according to the release. Damage, which included smoke damage to the interior and fire damage to the roof, was estimated at $10,000.

The restaurant will need to remain closed until repairs can be made and the McHenry County Department of Health approves a resumption of food service, the fire department said in the release.

No firefighters were injured while putting out the fire, the department said. Two employees reported minor discomfort because of the smoke, but nobody was treated or taken to the hospital in connection with the incident, Fire Rescue Chief Paul DeRaedt said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department investigators, according to the release.