Crime & Safety
Community Raises Money for Family Who Lost Everything in Fire
The fire broke out early Wednesday morning at a home at 663 Fairview Lane in South Elgin.
SOUTH ELGIN, IL -- A local family lost everything in a fire early Wednesday and now the community is pooling its resources to help them during their time of need. A fire that broke out early Wednesday morning at a home in South Elgin and set off a round of explosions has displaced two families, the Daily Herald reports. The blaze started in the garage of the home at about 3:30 a.m. at 663 Fairview Lane.
An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family living at 663 Fairview Lane, according to a GoFundMe page. Maddelena Fico of South Elgin set up the GoFundMe and is looking to raise $10,000 for the family who "has touched so many people and welcomed them into their home with open arms."
The money would be used to pay for college textbooks for a member of the family and will help cover immediate needs, such as groceries. Donations can be made on the GoFundMe website.
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No one was injured in the blaze, according to media reports. A father, mother and son who lived at home where the fire started, as well as their dog, Louie, and bearded dragon, Galileo, all made it out of safely, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
When firefighters first arrived at the scene of the blaze, they found two vehicles in the driveway on fire. The blaze also spread to a neighboring house, according to NBC Chicago.
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During the blaze, a gas meteor broke and some oxygen tanks that were used by a resident at the home exploded, according to the Daily Herald.
The home at 663 Fairview Lane was completely destroyed by the fire and the siding and attic of a neighboring home was damaged, according to the Daily Herald. Both families were displaced and are now living with relatives.
In total, firefighters from 13 departments responded to put the fire out. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
South Elgin Chief Bill Sohn told the Daily Herald fire officials may never know the cause of the blaze since the damage was so severe and the garage posed as a safety hazard, making it difficult to conduct a thorough investigation.
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