NEW LENOX, Ill. — Fire crews from 22 Illinois agencies fought a raging fire at Tri-Star Cabinet & Top Co. in New Lenox, Illinois, a south suburb about an hour from Chicago. After about 12 hours battling the blaze fire, fighters were still on the scene at 10 p.m. Oct. 17 extinguishing any hot spots left in the facility.

The fire at the company, which has manufactured cabinetry for more than 60 years, destroyed a more than 85,000-square-foot facility. Local news reported that there were about 60 to 70 employees inside the building at the time the fire started, but the workers were evacuated. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Local ABC news station, Channel 7, said that they had a helicopter at the seen at approximately 11;30 a.m. on Oct. 17 and saw "large flames and heavy smoke" coming from the company located at 1000 S. Cedar Road in New Lenox. 

Owner of Tri Star Cabinet, Joe Wilda III, told ABC News, "It was just a normal workday here and then fire alarms went off. Buildings can be replaced but at the end of the day our employees are what matter first and most and everyone's okay."

The company was founded in 1966 by three friends and co-workers looking to forge their American dream. After spending their first several years at small factories in Joliet, Illinois, Tri-Star moved to its current location in New Lenox in 1970, where, after experiencing significant growth, Tri-Star expanded to an 85,000-square-foot factory and warehouse including a two-story showroom.

Tri-Star is currently ranked 299 in the FDMC 300, a listing of the largest wood products manufacturers in North America.