Popcorn Machine Starts Fire At Chicago Shop

Dec. 8, 2007
A popcorn shop that generally has lines stretching out the door had people running instead when a popcorn machine exploded.

CHICAGO --

A popcorn shop that generally has lines stretching out the door had people running instead Friday evening when a popcorn machine exploded in the popular downtown spot.

About 5:50 p.m., fire crews responded to the Garrett Popcorn Shop at 670 N. Michigan Ave. after a popcorn machine exploded, according to Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford.

One woman, believed to be in her 20s, was taken to Lincoln Park Hospital with minor smoke-related injuries from inhaling the "putrid smoke" that was dispersed throughout the shop, Langford said. She was in good condition.

Original reports stated there was a working fire at the location, but when crews got to the shop, they realized there was just a lot of heavy smoke, Langford said.

Firefighters searched through the smoky shop when they found the woman, all other people had evacuated, Langford said.

Damage to the shop was mostly smoke-related, and once the place is ventilated it "will be OK," Langford said.

What caused the machine to explode is not yet known.

Copyright 2007, Sun-Times News Group

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