Fundraiser created to help owner of an Algonquin auto repair shop damaged by fire

ALGONQUIN — At around 7:59 p.m., on Tuesday, July 19, the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District was dispatched to an auto repair shop located on 1045 West Algonquin Road, for a report of a structure fire.

With the fire intensifying, mutual aid was requested from neighboring communities to assist in extinguishing the fire, stated authorities.

By approximately 8:33 p.m., the fire was completely controlled, with no civilian or firefighter injuries reported.

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, with assistance from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, the daughter of the owner of Rob’s Complete Auto Repair, has since started a Go Fund Me page to assist with the damage done to the shop.

“My dad’s shop caught fire yesterday (July 19), in Algonquin, Illinois. He did not have insurance on the shop at the time of the fire. He is an amazing mechanic and an amazing father and I really want to help him with the financial damage,” wrote Abigail Gerhke on the Go Fund Me page. “Cars got damaged in the process of the fire and even more damage was done to the building.”

Fire personnel from departments in Cary, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Crystal Lake, Rutland-Dundee, Elgin, West Dundee, Barrington-Countryside, Barrington, McHenry, Woodstock, Nunda-Rural, and Pingree Grove were all present at the scene of the incident.

As of July 22, there haven’t been any donations made to the Go Fund Me page for Rob’s Complete Auto Repair.

The goal is set for $5,000, despite no damage estimate being made available by authorities.

Those interested in donating to the Go Fund Me page can visit gofund.me/5578949a.