Durbin's Fire Investigated For Arson, Burglary

FRANKFORT, IL — A fire late Sunday at Durbin's near Breidert Green in Frankfort is being investigated as a possible burglary and arson, according to authorities. The pizzeria at 14 Elwood St. was closed when the blaze broke out, and no one was hurt extinguishing it, Frankfort Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Walter Curtin said.

The fire broke out at around 11:57 p.m. Sunday, July 15, and firefighters encountered smoke at the restaurant when they arrived, Curtin said. That escalated to a full fire, but it only took firefighters about five minutes to put out the flames, he added.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating the possibility of arson, while Frankfort police are handling the burglary, said Deputy Chief Kevin Keegan. Because the burglary is an open investigation, Keegan said the department would not comment on what was taken from Durbin's.

Curtin said no dollar amount has been put on the damage done to the restaurant. He believed Durbin's would be closed a couple weeks in order for the pizzeria to clean up and make repairs.

Durbin's Pizza in Frankfort (Image via Google Earth)