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Second City Cancels Shows Through Sunday After Fire

Updated 08/27/15 - 3:45 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Second City comedy troupe has canceled all of its performances through Sunday, while crews continue assessing and cleaning up damage from an extra-alarm fire that destroyed its offices on Wednesday.

Although the theaters at The Second City were largely undamaged by the blaze, there was some water damage, and other debris left behind in the lobby and other common areas, after a fire that started Wednesday afternoon in the Adobo Grill restaurant in the Piper's Alley complex in Old Town. Crews spent nearly three hours extinguishing the heavy flames from the blaze.

"While our theaters were mostly spared, they will require some repair to ensure the safety of our customers, performers and staff," The Second City posted on its website and social media pages. "The extent of repairs are still being assessed, and we expect to have a more concrete timeline available by Monday, August 31, 2015."

Shows at all Second City theaters in the Piper's Alley complex have been cancelled through Sunday, including at The Second City Mainstage, The Second City, e.t.c., UP Comedy Club, and Donny's Skybox Studio Theatre.

Three restoration companies have been brought in to clean up work so the show can go on.

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Customers who had tickets for this weekend's shows will be given refunds. All Second City classes and camps scheduled for Thursday also were canceled. Friday's classes will be held at Hubbard Street Dance Studio, 1147 W. Jackson Blvd.

"We are working on securing space for our weekend classes, and this information will be communicated to students as locations are confirmed," The Second City said.

Part of the roof of the building which houses offices for The Second City collapsed as a result of Wednesday's fire, destroying the Second City offices.

second city office
Inside the Second City offices after the fire. (Credit: Chicago Fire Media.)

Corcoran's Bar & Grill across the street has offered use of its back bar as a temporary office for Second City staffers.

"We have a very good relationship with Second City," manager Danny Barajas said. "Our hearts are heavy for them, and hopefully operations can resume normally."

Corcoran's is a popular drinking and dining spot for Second City performers, students, and patrons alike. Barajas said he's missing the business the classes and shows bring to Corcoran's.

"For the time being, it's kind of quiet when they're shut down," he said.

Second City Theater After Fire 3
The lobby areas at The Second City sustained minor damage, after a fire at Piper's Alley destroyed the comedy troupe's offices. (Credit: Chicago Fire Department)

Four firefighters and a manager at the Adobo Grill were injured in the fire. They all had non-life threatening injuries.

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