Live Wires Hamper Firefighters' Efforts After Downed Power Line Sets Frankfort Home On Fire During Storms

FRANKFORT, IL — Two residents in Frankfort lost their home in a fire after last week's severe storms caused power lines to fall on the house.

Downed live wires complicated firefighters' efforts to battle the blaze as they sought help from ComEd while crews responded to downed lines and power outages across the area, according to officials.

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A GoFundMe has been created for Tami McKee and her mom, Minnie, to help support them after the fire.

Friend Lindsey Kolar created the GoFundMe and said everything in the home has been lost, including two cars in the garage.

"They are very lucky to have made it out of the house when they did. Tami and Minnie are two of the most selfless people I have ever met in my life, and they need our help," she said. Funds will be used for everyday needs, clothes, shoes and food.

So far, $10,955 has been raised.

The Frankfort Fire Protection District said the home is a total loss after the fire. The fire was reported at 10:48 a.m. on Aug. 11.

The district said that it requested dispatch notify ComEd that live wires were down across the rear yard. Crews remained in a "defensive posture" during the incident due to the live wires.

"ComEd was contacted multiple times via dispatch, but no utility crew was assigned to the scene," the fire district said in a news release.

At 3 p.m., about five hours into the incident, a fire district member found a ComEd crew working in the area and requested them to respond. The crew confirmed the lines were still energized and worked about an hour to render them safe, the Fire District said.