Homeowner Injured, Hoarding At Orland Park Townhome Hinders Firefighters' Response: Orland Fire

ORLAND PARK, IL — A homeowner was injured and their residence left uninhabitable after a fire in an Orland Park townhome Saturday afternoon. Hoarding conditions inside a townhome hampered firefighters' efforts during the attack on the fire, Orland Fire Protection District officials said Sunday.

Firefighters were called at 1:43 p.m. Saturday to the two-story, four-unit townhome in the 9100 block of Greencastle Lane. Crews on scene did not immediately see evidence of fire, officials said, but firefighers and Orland Park police located a basement fire in the end unit of the complex.

All occupants were immediately ushered out of the attached townhouse properties, and firefighters launched an offensive attack.

A hose-line was deployed through the front door, but crews immediately faced "mounds of obstacles in the passageway of the home."

Interior fire crews reported what they believed was heavy hoarding conditions in the unit, which obstructed the passageway to the basement. Multiple crews were needed to clear debris to extinguish the fire.

One homeowner was treated for a minor head injury, but declined transport to the hospital. There were no reports of injuries to fire or police personnel.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The homeowner is temporarily displaced.

Orland Fire was assisted at the scene by Tinley Fire and Palos Fire departments. Mutual aid fire departments also provided station coverage while Orland Fire crews were dispatched to the scene.