Fire Destroys Historic Century-Old 'Pillars' House In Oswego: FD

OSWEGO, IL — A nearly 120-year-old Oswego landmark known as "The Pillars Home" was destroyed Wednesday morning in a large fire, officials said.

The early 1900s house at 407 Main Street, on 2 acres just off the Fox River, is believed to be a total loss and uninhabitable due to the fire, according to a news release.

The property, built around 1905, last sold in 2021 for $430,000 and was estimated to be worth upward of $615,000 in 2024, according to Redfin.

Ken-Com dispatch received a call from a passerby that the historic house was on fire. When firefighters arrived, they were faced with a rapidly spreading fire on both the first and second floors of the building. Neighbors reported a mother and four children "should be" in the house, but crews confirmed no one was home at the time, officials said.

Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack but efforts were hindered by water supply issues that were later revealed to have been caused by a water main break.

As crews were fighting the flames, they spread to the attic and "quickly engulfed the roof," forcing firefighters to evacuate and begin defensive operations, officials said.

Firefighters remained at the house for almost 12 hours. Crews from neighboring fire stations — Bristol-Kendall, Sugar Grove, Aurora and Plainfield — assisted Oswego firefighters on the scene.

No injuries were reported to crews or civilians.

RELATED: Large Fire, Water Main Break Affects Water Pressure In Oswego: Village

The water main break and fire impacted the water pressure, village staff said, prompting a boil order to go into effect for part of the old downtown area south of Route 71, Patch reported. The 24-hour order began around 1 p.m. Wednesday.