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« PAGE 13 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22. 1978 Destructive Blaze Fire caused an estimated $400,000 damage to the Flame & Hearth Fireplaces, showroom and warehouse Friday. Firemen from Crystal Lake responded to the alarm at 7:50 a.m. to the building located on Route 31, approximately four miles south of McHenry. Extra alarms were sounded and an additional six fire departments, including McHenry and Johnsburg, sent men and equipment to the scene to battle the blaze. According to Fire Chief Harold Krecker of Crystal Lake, the fire apparently started in the warehouse area of the building and quickly spread throughout the premises. Klecker stated that imitation living rooms made of cedar and plywood inside the building ignited quickly, enabling the fire to spread rapidly. The cause of the blaze has not been determined, pending an investigation by state fire marshals. No injuries to the men fighting the fire, which at one time numbered over sixty, were reported. The steel frame building, valued at approximately $200,000 and its contents, valued in excess of $200,000, were completely destroyed by the blaze. STAFF PHOTOS BY WAYNE GAYLORD (Upper left) The first truck from McHenry Company I arrives at the scene and readies a portable water tank af smoke begins to exit through the front of the building. (Above) Moments later, the entire facade of the building is engulfed by flames as tankers fill the water tanks. (At left) Water is aimed at flames inside the building, as Are fighters try to bring the blaze under control. Thick smoke hampered firemen, forcing them to wear oxygen masks to enter the building, in an effort to fight the fire from inside. (Below) Members from three different fire companies attempt to move closer to the building, after being forced back just moments earlier by the intense heat at the front of the building. Seven companies were called to battle the blaze which completely destroyed the building and its contents.