On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at approximately 3:31 p.m., the Lombard Fire Department responded to an activated fire alarm at a two-story, multi-family building in the 0-100 block of Briar St. in Glen Ellyn. While en route, dispatch advised crews that additional calls were being received, reporting smoke and flames could be seen. The incident was then upgraded to a structure fire response. The first Lombard Fire Department crew arrived on the scene at 3:36 p.m. and confirmed a fire in the basement.
Fire department personnel quickly stretched a hose line into the basement to initiate an attack on the fire. At the same time, additional crews began to rapidly search and evacuate all building occupants. The fire was declared under control within 10 minutes; however, crews needed to bring several large smoke-ejector fans into the building to assist with ventilation.
There were no injuries to citizens or firefighters. The basement sustained significant heat and smoke damage, including damage to some electrical equipment, resulting in ComEd disconnecting power to a portion of the building. The property management company was working to find alternate housing for those affected by the lack of power. A Glen Ellyn Building Department representative came to the scene to ensure proper measures would be taken to clean and repair all damaged property. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Lombard Fire Investigation Unit. The fire resulted in approximately $40,000 in damage to the building.
The Lombard Fire Department was assisted by the Downers Grove, Oak Brook, and Villa Park Fire Departments, as well as Oakbrook Terrace and York Center Fire Protection Districts. Glen Ellyn Police assisted with traffic and crowd control.
Please contact Deputy Chief Ray Kickert with any questions at (630) 620-5736