FORD HEIGHTS | Firefighters struggled against frigid temperatures Monday morning to battle a fire that destroyed Shannon's Lounge, a small social club at 1114 W. Lincoln Highway.

Clouds of dark smoke were visible more than 20 miles away in Merrillville.

Ford Heights firefighters were the first to respond to the blaze, which was reported at 8:40 a.m. Chicago Heights and Glenwood firefighters were on the scene within minutes to assist, Ford Heights Fire Chief Leon Smith said.

About 11 a.m. the fire was extinguished at the club, which is across the street from the Ford Heights municipal building, Smith said.

"When I came out of the (municipal) building this morning, the fire was coming out of the rear of the building, and there were people coming out the back door," said Police Chief Earl Bridges about the former single-story facility across the street.

Bridges said firefighters evacuated custodian Wilford McClaud and co-owner Albert Nelson, whose lone car sat in the parking lot singed.

The men were treated by Bud Ambulance Service and released, Bridges said. No other injuries were reported, he said.

The National Weather Service reported temperatures at 4 degree at the time of the fire, with winds at 15 mph.

"The fire hoses didn't freeze, but the ground froze," Ford Heights firefighter Darryl Green said. "We had the canteen that kept us with hot drinks."

Kevin Smith, an investigator with the state fire marshal's office in Springfield, said the fire is believed to have started in the building's furnace. No damage estimate was available. The owners could not be reached for comment.

The vacant building adjacent to the fire location was unharmed.