No Cause Found For Elmhurst House Fire

ELMHURST, IL – The cause of a fire last month that damaged an Elmhurst house valued at nearly $1.1 million is unknown, the fire department said.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the 19-page report on the July 28 fire at 172 E. Crescent Ave.

The occupants were alerted by fire alarms, the department said.

Firefighters responded shortly after 1 a.m. for a report of a shed on fire. When they got there, they found a fire to the back of the three-story house extending into the eves and attic, according to the report.

Firefighters made it to the third floor, but they had no visibility and suffered extreme heat, the report said. They retreated.

When they prepared to re-enter through the front, an explosion occurred, blowing out the front door into a firefighter, the report said.

The injured firefighter was taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was treated and released, the department said. The report said the firefighter "quickly recovered."

The house next door at 178 E. Crescent Ave. sustained damage to its siding because of radiant heat, according to the report. No damage could be found inside.

The fire department said the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force will provide a report later.