AURORA, ILL. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A massive fire ravaged the historic, abandoned Masonic Temple Monday in west suburban Aurora.
Firefighters were still battling the fire as of 5:30 a.m., according to the City of Aurora's Twitter account. The fire at the temple, 104 S. Lincoln Ave., was described as "very dangerous."
Roads in the area near the temple, including Lincoln Avenue, Benton Street and Clark Street, were closed Tuesday morning as firefighters address the damage.
Officials with the Aurora Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for details.
In an interview with ABC7 posted to the city's Twitter account, Fire Chief Gary Krienitz explained that firefighters had to let the flames burst through the roof because the stone building was "completely enclosed."
The Masonic Temple was built in 1922 by the Aurora Masonic Alliance, a group of 10 Masonic organizations, according to the City of Aurora's website. It was named one of Landmark Illinois' "Most Endangered Historic Places" in 2009.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2019. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)





