A fire that erupted in downtown Evanston Sunday morning has destroyed three area businesses and injured a firefighter.
The extra-alarm blaze started just before 2:30 a.m. at the Pineyard Restaurant in the 1000 block of Davis Street, according to the Evanston Fire Department.
The fire was quickly elevated two extra alarms after it consumed two other businesses near the restaurant.
One firefighter suffered an ankle injury in the fire and was taken to Evanston Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officials said the businesses affected by the flames-- Pineyard Restaurant, TechniColour Nail & Day Spa and Taco Diablo Restaurant-- were closed at the time of the fire.
Twelve animals were evacuated from nearby Bramer Animal Hospital and another nearby store, the Wheel & Sprocket Bike Shop, is expected to have water and smoke damage.
Several neighboring fire departments were called in to help with the blaze.
Fire officials said flames were put out around 6:30 a.m. Sunday and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
