When a fire disrupted every-day life at a beloved bakery and pet supply store, the community rallied together during a difficult time to give a voice to those directly impacted from the fire. From being the first people on scene, rallying around the owners with undeniable support and fundraising with the high school for the repairs.
On Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 a fire broke out at the Riverside Bake Shop, one of McHenry’s oldest shops still running. The fire quickly spread through Riverside to Reece’s Barkery and Pawtique. According to the Lake and McHenry County Scanner, firefighters from around 30 counties volunteered to help out on scene and to cover the McHenry stations.
Bill Andersen, retired Richmond firefighter, was first on the scene after taking a route he normally wouldn’t. Him and his family saw fire and smelled smoke and made their way towards the bakery.
“As soon as I opened it [the bakery door],” Andersen says, “it was floor to ceiling smoke. I called in and said, ‘is there anybody in here?’ And then I heard some coughing and I heard some people say some things, so I just stepped in, told him to come to my voice, get low and two gentlemen came out, one with the fire extinguisher, which was empty.”
Anderson’s small decision to take an alternative route to his usual daily route led him to saving the lives of multiple people. His quick thinking and past in structure fires made him the ideal passerby.
“I combed the entire area and I cleared it,” Anderson says, “and there was nobody else in there. Then I came back out that same door and told the fireman where the fire was.”
While there were no casualties or extreme injuries, there was more lost in the fire than anticipated. The owners lost their businesses, customers lost their favorite spots for morning treats and pet supplies and the workers lost a place to cool off after school and their everyday lives. This tragedy made people stop and appreciate everything they have within the moment.
MCHS immediately took action by creating a fundraiser for those who were affected by the fire. Athletic Director of MCHS, Chris Madson, came up with the idea to sell shirts and hoodies with “RIVERSIDE STRONG” on the back. The next basketball game, on Jan. 30, 2026, was a tribute to the owners and their businesses.
“As of Friday we had $13,000+ in sales,” Madson says, “the proceeds will be evenly split and donated to Riverside and Reeses Barkery.”
McHenry District 15 and the Salvation Army provided warming buses for the firefighters and people who were inside the shops during the fires. MCHS fundraising for both shops and a friend starting a GoFundMe for Riverside, the community has raised around $38,000 for repairs within the shops.
“Thank you to the local community who has voiced your support,” the Riverside Bake Shop posted on their Facebook, “we are so grateful for the community we have built and can lean on throughout this difficult time.”