In a dramatic midday blaze, Naperville heroes busted into action as flames and panic engulfed a local apartment building. The City of Naperville reported that at 1:58 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, a fire alarm rang out from a multifamily residence, swiftly turning into a dire rescue operation on the 1100 Block of Iroquois Avenue.
Engulfed by calls from terrified residents, some of them physically unable to escape on their own, the Naperville Public Safety Answering Point had to quickly upgrade to a full-on MABAS Fire Box and EMS Box situation, summoning a cavalry of 18 fire apparatus and 44 personnel to the fray. Desperate to reach those in danger, firefighters courageously fought to simultaneously perform rescues and stretch hose lines, all while the threat of spreading flames loomed.
With impressive precision, the first responders arrived within minutes. Despite initial appearances deceiving, crew members walked into a nightmare on the second floor, where they found heavy black smoke spewing from unit 208. An individual was pulled to safety through a window. At 2:27 p.m., the fire was brought under control, thanks in part to a diligently placed sprinkler head that helped contain the spread of the fire.
After the smoke cleared, six units were destroyed, leaving four residents without a home to return to. They were, fortunately, able to quickly be relocated either within the same building or into the arms of awaiting family members. Thanks to the rapid efforts of Naperville's bravest, and support from surrounding fire departments and police, there were incredibly no reported injuries. Yet, the fire did leave a hefty price tag in its wake, with damages amounting to $300,000. The source of this disaster remains a mystery, with investigations ongoing to shine a light on the cause of the fire.
