The cause of the fire that gutted the abandoned Toastmaster factory last month will remain a mystery.

Algonquin Deputy Police Chief Ed Urban said a team of investigators examined the building and debris from the fire and found no evidence of foul play, declaring it a closed investigation.

A demolition crew took apart the most dangerous sections of the building in the days following the Oct. 18 fire.

"If human remains had been found, an investigation into whether or not the fire was set intentionally would have been launched," Urban said. 

Urban said investigators also decided to conclude the investigation because the building had been already purchased by the state of Illinois and was slated for demolition to make room for road construction.

"There was no financial benefit in having it burn down," he said.

The building, located on Washington Street and adjacent to St. John's Lutheran School, was engulfed in flames early the morning Oct. 18. Fourteen fire departments from as far away as Streamwood and McHenry responded to the blaze.

The fire destroyed the east side of the building but left the northwest corner unaffected.

The Illinois Department of Transportation took the title of the building in September. Emergency demolition of the building, including stabilizing the site and tearing down smokestacks and walls was completed within two days of the fire, IDOT spokesperson Guy Tridgell said.

"We're making the best of an unusual situation," Tridgell said.

IDOT has opened bids for the next phase of demolition work, which will involve tearing down the building to the foundation and off-site removal of debris. 

The proposal for the job includes the removal of 8,000 tons of non-hazardous special waste and 2,000 tons of steel, as well as on-site air sampling. Tridgell expects to award that contract shortly. The work is scheduled to be finished by Dec. 31.

The last phase of demolition will include soil excavation and foundation removal. IDOT expects to begin receiving bids for that part of the project Nov. 6.

Tridgell said IDOT has noted the neighborhood's worry about the possibility of asbestos, but he said transportation officials believe that even if asbestos is present, the amount is not large and would be confined to the roofing and flooring.

"We share the community's concern," he said. "We will monitor the situation moving forward."