Riverside Bake Shop and Reeses Barkery and Pawtique in downtown McHenry were left uninhabitable by a fire Sunday afternoon.

Josh Olmstead, an acting battalion chief at the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, said the businesses were uninhabitable after the fire.

One firefighter had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital to be evaluated, but has since been released.

Olmstead said around 6 p.m. Sunday crews had cleared the scene but investigators were still on site.

Kevin Rourke, an owner/manager at Fox Hole Pizza and Pub on Riverside Drive, down the street from the fire, said his restaurant served as a hub for the firefighters during the fire.

He said firefighters could come in and warm up, as well as grab some pizza, water and pop. Rourke said he donated the food and drinks. Detectives were also able to use the space to interview people, Rourke said.

McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce President Molly Ostap said she had reached out to the owners of Reeses Barkery and knows the community will support the affected businesses as they figure out next steps.

“It’s heartbreaking. We are deeply saddened,” Ostap said.

Ostap said the chamber’s thoughts are with the business owners, employees and “everyone affected by this devastating loss. We are keeping all neighboring businesses and those experiencing secondary damage, such as water or smoke, in our thoughts.”

Ostap said it is “is truly a sad day for McHenry and our beloved Riverside Drive.” She added the chamber extends its “deepest gratitude” to the local police and fire department as well as neighboring fire departments for their swift response and support.

“McHenry is a strong, resilient community, and we will continue to stand together as we support one another through recovery,” Ostap said.

Frank McClatchey, who lives within walking distance of the bakery, said it was a “very sad day in McHenry.”

McClatchey, a former McHenry City Council member, said around 2:45 p.m. Sunday he just saw the bakery and the roof was about half down. He said fire crews were pouring a lot of water on the building.

McClatchey said he felt bad for the owners of Riverside Bake Shop as well as Reeses Barkery next door. “They’re totally done,” he said.

McClatchey said his favorite item at Riverside was the eclair, and he recalled walking down the bakery, picking up an eclair and going home to enjoy it.

McHenry Police Department Deputy Chief Thomas Walsh confirmed the McHenry Township Fire Protection District was working a fire at the bakery, 1309 North Riverside Drive.

Walsh said later Sunday afternoon that the fire department will have more information “but the preliminary investigation shows it most likely was accidental.”

Route 120 was closed for several hours between Green Street and River Road in downtown McHenry. Police said around 4:50 p.m. Sunday the road was open. The closure was announced around 1:20 p.m. Sunday.

Riverside Drive remained closed in downtown McHenry between Broad Street and Route 120. Walsh said the road was closed so fire crews could safely access the building with their equipment.

McHenry Police put out an alert just before 1 p.m. Sunday saying the road was closed in that stretch and Route 120 at Riverside Drive was down to one lane. Police said people should avoid the area.

Cassie Prigge is the owner of crystal, apothecary and metaphysical store Crystal Lume. The store is across the street from the bakery and barkery. Prigge said Sunday afternoon she had seen fire trucks from many different departments as well as the Salvation Army handing out food and drinks to the fire crews.

She said she had not been evacuated but authorities asked everyone to move their vehicles. Prigge said she felt “lucky” to be across the street from the longstanding, iconic bakery as well as the barkery. Prigge said she felt the community would come together and offer support for the businesses.

At the American Legion Post 491 in McHenry, a few doors down from the fire, the post is still welcoming the public for the Bears game Sunday.

Sean Greaney, the adjutant of the post, said the legion was never closed, but people were asked to move their vehicles from the alley behind their building as well as Riverside Drive.

He said around 3:50 p.m. Sunday the fire hoses appeared to be rolled up and there was no black smoke.

“We’re very saddened to hear about it,” Greaney said about the fire, adding the businesses were local and the American Legion has used the bakery.