Evanston fire crews were called to the planned site of the new Theo Ubique at 721-723 Howard St. this afternoon to extinguish a fire that broke out in the attic of the city-owned building.
The fire was reported about 1:25 p.m. Firefighters were able to quickly bring it under control.
An estimate of damage from the fire wasn’t immediately available. There were no reports of injuries.
Westbound traffic on Howard was still blocked by fire apparatus as of shortly after 2 p.m.
Theo Ubique, which now is based in Rogers Park, has negotiated a 10-year lease with the city with four five-year renewal options.
Plans call for the storefront building to be converted to a cabaret theater spaces with seating for about 84 patrons.
Update 3 p.m.: Fire Division Chief Paul Polep says only a few rafters in the roof of the building were involved in the fire, and it was extinguished quickly. Fire investigators are still on the scene, seeking to determine the cause.