Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District responds to fire at Niko’s Tavern restaurant

PINGREE GROVE — On the morning of Saturday, April 9, the Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District responded to Niko’s Tavern located at 2401 Route 20 in Pingree Grove, for a reported kitchen fire.

According to Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Chris Howell, upon arrival at the scene, fire protection personnel discovered that a small fire had broken out in the kitchen, which activated the restaurant’s fire alarm.

Fortunately, the fire had already gone out by the time responding fire departments arrived to investigate the incident.

Howell stated that the building was full of smoke, which ultimately was able to be vented out.

Pingree Grove fire response units remained on the scene for about an hour to ensure that there were no other fires hidden on the premises.

Niko’s Tavern was closed until around 10 a.m. and was later allowed to reopen for business after being approved to do so by the Kane County Health Department.

The fire is still under investigation, said Howell.

Niko’s Tavern in Pingree Grove is one of five other restaurants owned by Huntley local Niko Kanakaris, who also serves as a trustee on the Huntley Village Board.

As of April 13, Niko’s Tavern in Pingree Grove has remained open and has not reported any major damages as a result of the kitchen fire.

Emergency personnel from Hampshire, Burlington, Fox River Countryside, Huntley, Rutland-Dundee, and South Elgin all assisted with the incident.