Local Fire Crew Lauded For Handling Cold Weather Calls

CARY, IL — As firefighters continue to respond to emergencies in frigid, single-digit temperatures, the Cary Fire Protection District was dispatched Wednesday night to a report of a possible structure fire in unincorporated Cary that turned out to be a debris fire, officials said.

At about 9:13 p.m., crews were sent to the area of Rawson Bridge Road and Beach Way Road after 911 callers reported a fire and a possible explosion involving a home.

Firefighters arrived within minutes and found a pile of garbage, tools and debris burning next to a home in the 900 block of S. Rawson Bridge Road.

Crews determined there was no explosion and no damage to the residence. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire before it could spread to the home, and the response was later downgraded, according to a news release.

Officials said several tires may have burst during the fire, likely causing the loud noise reported as an explosion. No injuries were reported.

“The dedication our members continue to show during this stretch of extreme cold has been remarkable,” Cary Fire Protection District Chief Brad Delatorre said. “Whether responding to fires, water rescues or other serious emergencies, our firefighters have stepped up without hesitation to protect this community, even in the most challenging conditions.”

The incident remains under investigation by the Cary Fire Protection District.