Crime & Safety
Several Families Without Their Homes After West Chicago Apartment Fire
Fire officials say roughly 10 families were displaced after a fire broke out in an apartment building on Burr Oaks Drive.
WEST CHICAGO, IL — As many as 10 families were displaced from their homes ahead of the holidays after a fire broke out in an apartment building in West Chicago Tuesday evening.
Firefighters were called to the 800 block of Burr Oaks Drive at 5:49 p.m. for a report of a fire. When they got to the scene, they saw smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building.
Residents had already begun to evacuate after hearing the fire alarm sound. Emergency personnel helped the remaining residents get out safely.
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No one was hurt in the blaze, according to West Chicago Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Timothy Leidig.
An investigation led officials to discover the fire was caused by a faulty exhaust fan in one of the building's second-floor bathrooms. The fire started in a bathroom and spread to the third floor and roof of the building.
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The fire was completely extinguished by 8:30 p.m., per Deputy Chief Leidig.
The displaced families are being assisted by the Red Cross.
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