Chicago’s improv scene took a hit when the Old Town offices of The Second City—a legendary improv training ground—went ablaze Aug. 27 after a grease fire, which spread from nearby restaurant Adobo Grill, climbed a vent and ignited the roof of The Second City facility.

No employees were harmed, but there was damage to some offices.

“We discovered that two offices that belonged to our sales and accounting department were total losses, and there was some serious water damage. Largely though, we came out in pretty good condition,” said Tyler Alexander, vice president of brand and marketing at The Second City.

The theaters and training center—perhaps the most integral parts of the performance space—were unharmed, though classes were moved to various spaces throughout Chicago as a precautionary measure.

 Alexander said the classes and performances were moved to ensure 100 percent safety and security before allowing people back into the space. This recuperation time will include a clean sweep of tiles, carpets and other materials that may have been damaged by water or smoke during the blaze.

Chase Ingrande, a senior theatre major and student at The Second City, heard about the fire just hours before he was to attend his first class for a conservatory program at the facility.

“I ended up not taking my class because half the building was on fire … I thought it was the universe telling me I wasn’t that funny,” Ingrande said.

Like many people, Ingrande heard the news from the various social media outlets The Second City uses to communicate. Ingrande said even in the midst of the disarray, the company did a good job of keeping students informed about what to expect for the next week.

“It seemed the whole business was on top of letting students know what was going to happen next—which was really great, because during that time you’re so focused on saving the structure,” Ingrande said.

A silver lining in the disaster was the support The Second City received. Many community members and nearby businesses provided office space and services to staff as they wait for their space to regain its functionality, which The Second City expects to happen by Sept. 20, according to a Sept. 4 press release by the company.

 Alexander said places like Corcoran’s Grill & Pub—a bar across the street from The Second City facility—and Old Town Social have provided office spaces and “a place to rest [their] heads.”

The Annoyance Theatre & Bar, located at 851 W. Belmont Ave., is another renowned Chicago improv theater that opened up spaces from main stages to small studios for The Second City to house workshops, corporate meetings and the tail end of its summer immersion classes.

Jennifer Estlin, executive producer and owner of The Annoyance Theatre, said the deep connection between staff and players at the two theaters spurred them to help their fellow thespians.

“We’ve always had a wonderful relationship with The Second City …because many of the people that work here also work there … when this happened, we were immediately sick to our stomach,” Estlin said.

 In a statement released Aug. 31, The Second City CEO Andrew Alexander expressed his gratitude for the community-centered attitude within the Chicago area.

“We’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by so much support and generosity,”  Andrew Alexander remarked in the statement.

To convey this gratitude, The Second City has planned a benefit performance for the Chicago Fire Department that is set  for “the first night of operations in The Second City Mainstage Theater,” the Sept. 4 statement said. Donations  are being directed to the Chicago Fire Department’s  Gold Badge Society.