Downtown Springfield building damaged by fire partially torn down

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — One firefighter was injured in a fire that devastated the downtown Springfield community Wednesday afternoon.

The Springfield Fire Department responded to the fire on top of a building on E Adams St that houses Cats' Pyjamas Cat Cafe next to Cafe Moxo early Wednesday afternoon.

All of the cats from the cat cafe were evacuated safely to Buzz Bomb Brewing Company.

Springfield Fire Chief Ed Canny told WAND News that the crews worked hard to keep the fire from spreading to connected buildings downtown. Nearly two dozen firefighters were called in to assist the department.

The excessive heat made the situation even more difficult for crews on scene.

According to a Facebook post made by Robert Mazrim, the curator of the PILLSBURIED art installation, the entire exhibit was destroyed in the fire. Three tons of art and artifacts were brought together to show the rich history of the former Pillsbury Mills plant.

John Combs, a co-owner of the building, told WAND News that while the downtown community is devastated, business owners made sure to help one another.

"We're all family in our own way," said Combs. "We all stick together. We all know that if something bad happens downtown, our fellow business owners are going to be there to help us."

On Facebook, Cafe Moxo announced that the restaurant would be closed until a damage assessment could be undertaken and repairs made.

We are working to learn more, and will update this story with the latest information. 

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