Unattended Stove Caused Mayfair Subdivision Fire

JOLIET, IL — Saturday's house fire on Joliet's far west side was caused by an unattended stove, Joliet Fire Greg Blaskey indicated on Sunday night. The house at 2708 Billie Limacher Drive has been deemed uninhabitable, but the Joliet Fire Department was able to rescue two family dogs from the basement.

"It was determined that the residents had accidentally left the stove burner on after deep frying food," Blaskey informed Joliet Patch. The residents went out on Saturday evening, while the stove burner was still on, and this caused the heating oil to reach its ignition point, the fire investigation found.

The structure fire broke out shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday while the residents were gone.

Stations 9, 10, 8 and 7 responded to the blaze on Billie Limacher Drive and crews saw lots of flames and heavy smoke from the rear of the structure. Joliet firefighters entered the burning house and extinguished the fire coming from the kitchen area, the chief noted.

The house sustained at least $60,000 in damage,Blaskey said.

"A reminder to all residents to never leave cooking items unattended and assure the burners (on the stove) are off when cooking is completed," the fire chief stressed.

As for the two dogs found in the basement, both suffered smoke inhalation, and one was taken to a local veterinary clinic for additional treatment, the chief said.