Suspicious Fire Destroys Business Linked to Dolton’s Most Notorious Critic

An Illinois business owned by a prominent critic of an embattled Democratic mayor was devastated by fire earlier this week. Authorities are investigating the incident as suspicious.

Dolton Deputy Fire Chief John Calhoun stated that the fire was indeed suspicious in nature. He confirmed that the fire marshal and a mutual aid arson team are currently examining the scene.

The fire broke out around 6 a.m. on Tuesday and quickly escalated to a three-alarm response. Fortunately, no injuries occurred; however, the building was utterly destroyed, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.

Previous Incident Raises Alarms

Interestingly, a smaller fire had also been reported at the same site just a week prior, raising further questions regarding the current incident.

History of Controversy

Last year, state police raided the location during a stolen car investigation. Reports indicated that ten of the fifty vehicles parked on the property were under scrutiny for auto theft. Lawrence Gardner, the owner, asserted that his facility is used primarily for renting parking spaces.

Neither the Illinois Secretary of State nor the Dolton Fire Department responded promptly to requests for comments.

Local Dynamics and Criticism

Gardner is known as a vocal critic of outgoing Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard. His criticism has grown increasingly pointed, as he previously alleged retaliatory actions from Henyard for not supporting her politically.

Henyard, often referred to as the “worst mayor in America” by her critics, has faced numerous allegations throughout her tenure. She recently garnered attention for skipping four consecutive village board meetings following her loss in February’s re-election bid.

Ongoing Investigations

Further complicating the political atmosphere, multiple investigations into Dolton’s local government continue. In 2024, the FBI issued subpoenas at Dolton Village Hall amid ongoing corruption allegations, although Henyard was not personally served. There have also been sexual assault allegations against her, alongside scrutiny regarding the operations of her cancer charity.

After Henyard’s defeat to Mayor-elect Jason House, federal authorities issued subpoenas connected to a criminal investigation concerning a development project linked to land owned by Henyard’s boyfriend.

Community Reactions

Local residents and officials remain on edge as these incidents unfold. The increasing tension within the community has drawn public attention to the ongoing controversies surrounding local governance and fire-related crimes.

Gardner did not respond to queries regarding the fire and its implications. Meanwhile, House and Henyard also chose not to provide immediate comments regarding the ongoing situation.

The circumstances surrounding the fire at Gardner’s business highlight broader issues of accountability and public safety in Dolton. As investigations progress, authorities will likely face mounting pressure from both citizens and the media to provide clarity on the matter.

Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.