Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Mayor Buscher led a Thursday afternoon news conference to update the public on the downtown fire and clean-up efforts.

Buscher was joined by Springfield Police Chief, Ken Scarlette, Springfield Fire Chief, Ed Canny, Dave Fuchs with Public Works, Val Yazell with Economic and Community Development as well as representatives of O’Shea Builders and Hansen Engineers who are assisting with the city’s efforts.

Chief Canny says crews were called in shortly before noon when the odor of smoke was detected and then spent the next 12 hours fighting the fire. He paid tribute to his team when he said a smaller fire department might have lost the entire block.

Canny says the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Springfield Police Chief, Ken Scarlette, is reminding the public the 400 block of E. Adams will remain closed for at least a week while clean-up crews do their work. He asks the public to avoid the area for the safety of all.

The second story bookstore, The Elf Shelf, lost its entire inventory. The downstairs tattoo parlor and cat cafe were also destroyed.  An irreplaceable collection of artifacts from the former Pillsbury plant were lost in the fire. The fate of other Adams St. businesses, such as Cafe Moxo, next door, remains in doubt while the properties are examined.