EDGEWATER — Burning coals left overnight in a grill at Devon Avenue's Jerky Jerk restaurant led to the Chicago Fire Department smashing its storefront windows while searching for a fire last weekend, owner Marlon Reid said.
At about 2 a.m. Sunday morning, someone called 911 to report smoke inside the jerk chicken and sandwich joint, at 1217 W. Devon Ave.
Shortly after, firefighters arrived — and put out the coals. The incident caused less than $2,000 in smoke and water damage, he said.
"It smoked up the whole place," said Reid, who opened the restaurant in spring 2013. "It’s a big cleanup job."
But Reid vows to reopen Jerky Jerk sooner rather than later, hopefully by this weekend after passing a city inspection, he said.
"All of our neighbors have come by and wished us well," he said. "We’re trying to make it better."
Jerky Jerk will also be featured on Food Network's "Sandwich King" sometime in the next couple months.
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