2 Families Displaced By Fire In Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — Two families were displaced by a fire in a basement Saturday night in Evanston. Around 8:42 p.m., fire crews were called to the 1700 block of Payne Street for a report of a multi-family home ablaze, fire officials said. There were no reported injuries among residents or rescuers.

The first firefighters arrived within three minutes of the call, according to Division Chief Paul Polep. They found several people standing outside building and heavy smoke coming from its chimney. There was also a fire visible behind a glass block window in the basement, firefighters noticed. They pulled out the window and hosed the fire from outside.

Polep said that kept the fire in check until fire crews could get into the basement and extinguish the rest of the fire. The alarm was upgraded to call in assistance. Departments from other nearby communities helped put out the fire and cover the rest of town.

The fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the home's basement, according to Polep. The extent of the damage displaced two families. The Red Cross was providing them assistance.