PRINCETON, Ill. (KWQC) – A popular restaurant in Princeton, Illinois, is picking up the pieces after a fire Saturday evening.
Firefighters responded around 7:45 p.m. for a medium size fire at Big Apple Family Restaurant.
Lieutenant Nick Vujanov with the Princeton Fire Department said they initially responded with four firefighters before requesting eight other fire departments for assistance as part of a mutual aid box alarm.
Vujanov said when they arrived it was just smoke, but soon flames would lead to what he says was a pretty significant fire at a restaurant himself and several community members really enjoy.
“I’ll be honest this was one of my favorite places to eat breakfast in the morning,” he said. “I really enjoy it and every time you drive by you always see cars parked in the parking lot, so yeah a pretty popular place.”
Fire Chief Scott Etheridge said the restaurant is a tradition and staple for many gatherings in the area.
“I just had another department head say their kid called them and said ‘we go there every easter morning and eat breakfast.’ It’s definitely significant. You walk in and know the people’s names that own it and work there because they’ve been part of the community for so long. Definitely a hard hit,” Etheridge said.
Vujanov said the there were people inside the restaurant when the fire started but there were no injuries.
Chief Etheridge said firefighters had the fire under control within 22 minutes, but were at the restaurant just under four and a half hours.
Community members as well as the firefighters said they hope the restaurant reopens.
The owners of Big Apple Family Restaurant said in a Facebook post the fire started from an electrical issue in the ceiling.
The owners also declined an interview. However, they said they are not sure what the next steps for the restaurant will be.
They did post on Facebook saying they have been touched by the outpouring of concern and support from the community.
Copyright 2026 KWQC. All rights reserved.
Dining and Cooking