The smoky blaze at 1612 North Wells Street apparently started as a grease fire in the Adobo Grill restaurant on the building's first floor at lunchtime Aug. 26 and spread to the offices. Time Out/Chicago and the Chicago Tribune reported that while the fire did not affect Second City's four theatres at 1616 and 1608 North Wells Street, it was not clear how severe smoke and water damage may have been.

Four injuries were reported: three firefighters and a worker in the building.

The Tribune reported that there was two feet of water in the floor above one of the Second City theatres. Firefighters held off on breaking a hole in the floor to drain it, out of concern for the theatre space.

Second City CEO and co-owner Kelly Leonard posted on his Facebook page, "Almost 30 years of my stuff at Second City is burned and gone.... But it's just stuff. The people are what's important."

Refunds will be issued to ticket holders, and classes will be held at alternate locations. Second City is considering hosting a benefit in support of the firefighters who helped save their theatres.