Driver hospitalized after crashing into Kohl’s store in Bloomington, causing fire

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois — A vehicle crash into a department store sparked a structure fire and sent a driver to the hospital early Monday morning in Bloomington, Illinois.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the Kohl’s department store, located at the Eastland Mall on East Empire Street, shortly before 4:00 a.m. on October 6, 2025. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a vehicle that had crashed through the exterior wall and was partially inside the building. The vehicle was unoccupied, and a juvenile female driver was located nearby with injuries that were determined to be non-life-threatening. She was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

The impact of the crash ignited a fire that quickly spread into the building’s walls and structural elements. Firefighters faced significant challenges in bringing the blaze under control due to its location in hidden, hard-to-reach void spaces along the store’s exterior facade. Crews had to use power saws and hand tools from the roof and interior to access the smoldering pockets of fire.

Due to the extensive fire, smoke, and water damage, the Kohl’s store was forced to temporarily close its doors to the public. Following weeks of cleanup and structural repairs, store management announced that the location successfully reopened for business on October 24, 2025. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by local authorities.