Fire erupts at historic Haley Mansion in Joliet

JOLIET, Ill. - An historic mansion in Joliet, which is used as a wedding venue, caught fire Wednesday afternoon, leaving couples wondering, what's next?

The venue is located at 17 S. Center Street and crews were on the scene around 4:45 p.m.

For about 40 minutes, flames were shooting from the attic and third floor of the Patrick C. Haley Mansion. It appears it was the bridal suite that suffered the most damage on the third floor.

That’s where Katie Edgeworth was hoping to put on a beautiful white gown in just 38 days.

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"A friend texted me the link and I thought it was a joke," said Edgeworth.

She’s a Chicago nurse, and her future hubby Mike Doolin is a Chicago firefighter.

"Joliet did a great job. Those guys are very good," said Doolin.

The couple was engaged in Ireland and the Haley Mansion was supposed to be the start of their next chapter.

"As soon as we walked in, Mike and I looked at each other and we're like, this is where we're getting married," said Edgeworth.

Jon Wise, a local DJ, says his next event there was scheduled for May.

"Coming out of Covid, everything we went through with the shutdown in our industry, this is just like, couples don't need this right now," said Wise with JPW Productions.

Katie and Mike are still trying to keep their spirits high.

"Whatever happens will happen, because I still get to marry the love of my life,"  said Edgeworth.

"Most important thing, right?" replied Doolin.

The Haley Mansion was built in 1893, by the mayor at the time, Patrick Haley. The limestone castle is 8,600 square feet.

The venue does not appear to be a total loss. The mansion suffered damage, but not the reception hall area.

FOX 32 reached out for comment from The Haley Mansion and there’s been no response.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and there were no injuries.