AVONDALE — Crews are tearing down the furniture store building that was destroyed in a massive fire last week as the Chicago Fire Department continues to investigate what caused the blaze, according to authorities.
On Thursday morning, an extra-alarm fire destroyed Famsa Furniture, a two-story brick building at 2945 N. Milwaukee Ave. that sits on the border of Logan Square and Avondale.
[All photos DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]
For hours, some 150 firefighters battled the blaze, which sent flames shooting through the building, leading to a roof collapse. Plumes of smoke were visible from miles away.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. But officials deemed the building unsalvageable and called for an emergency demolition.
On Monday, much of the building had already been demolished, including the entire facade.
Mimi Simon, a spokeswoman for the Department of Buildings, said the whole building is expected to come down, but that can't happen until the Fire Department's investigation is complete.
It's unclear what caused the fire. A spokesman for the Fire Department didn't return a message Monday.
City records show the building dated to the 1940s and in the 1950s was home of Bass Brothers Furniture Co.
The Avondale Famsa store is one of four Chicago area stores owned by the Monterrey, Mexico-based chain. It took over the former Grace's Furniture on Milwaukee Avenue in 2013.
The chain, which has corporate offices in Texas, specializes in furniture, mattresses, electronics, computers and appliances.
