Photo credit: Todd McDaniel
Updated: 9 a.m. April 9 with bank account information.
Aid efforts are underway for displaced residents
Fire Chief Jim Jackson told a breath-taking story of courage and cooperation as he recounted for the village council April 6 the department’s mammoth effort against the three-alarm fire that devastated a west-side apartment building in the early morning hours of April 5.
In all, 100 firefighters representing 25 departments and 45 companies battled the fire, which investigators have determined broke out in the attic of the 16-unit Downers Belmont Apartments at 4901 Belmont Ave. The preliminary investigation was not able to pinpoint the cause due to the building’s precarious and unsafe condition, Jackson told the DGreport.
Firefighters arrived at the scene within four minutes of receiving the 12:15 a.m. call to find heavy smoke at the roof line and a fire already engulfing the center portion of the building.
There was no alarm notification inside the two-story, 16-unit building, Jackson told commissioners. “It was a true life-and-death situation.”
Five people were assisted out of the first floor and six people from the second floor, he said. At that point, a partial ceiling collapse cut off the firefighters’ exit and threatened an imminent flashover or simultaneous ignition of all combustible material.
Earlier, firefighters had heard a rumbling in the second-floor ceiling, which indicated the fire had already had a “great head start,” Jackson said.
“We found fire from one end to the other of the attic, which is an indication we need to get out,” he said. He likened the trusses in the 165-foot by 60-foot attic to “a lumber yard.”
“We found a second way out and went into a defensive attack from the outside to control the fire to the building of origin, Jackson said. The roof of the structure collapsed within 20 minutes and the interior pancaked, leaving the exterior walls with no support.
It took firefighters more than three hours to tamp down the fire and more than 15 hours to entirely extinguish it, said Jackson, who praised the work of village fire, police and public works departments, the mutual aid companies, and Commissioner Geoff Neustadt, a District 58 employee, who arrived to open Henry Puffer Elementary School to the building’s evacuated residents.
He also commended the residents who assisted the first engine company in getting the heavy hoses to some of the five hydrants used to douse the fire. “They wanted to do something to help,” Jackson said. “It was a great thing.”
The fact that there were no lives lost and no injuries suffered, “is a true account of our firefighters,” he said. The building was less than half-occupied, which made the rescuers’ task less daunting.
The fire is the third major residential fire in five months and the first apartment fire in a decade, Jackson said.
Now comes the aftermath.
Rev. Mark Moore of Belmont Baptist Church, 5430 Belmont Road, is coordinating the aid effort. Immediate needs are for clothing, bedding, towels, sheets, toiletries and non-perishable groceries, particularly items that can be made quickly and easily. Grocery and big-box store gift cards would also be appreciated. However, none of the residents is settled yet, so furniture needs have not yet been determined.
One of the displaced families has eight children ranging in age from toddlers to teens, so girls’ and boys’ clothing of all sizes is needed, Moore said. Toys and books, preferably new, also would be appreciated.
“My understanding is they lost it all,” Moore said of the residents, who escaped with only their lives.
Local residents who wish to donate can bring items to the church between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily through the next or call (630)963-2230 for an appointment.
More good news
Todd McDaniel, principal of Henry Puffer school is also working closely with the displaced families who have children at the school.
Both his school community and others — including a Pierce Downer mother who arrived first thing Tuesday morning with four new backpacks — have sprung into action, McDaniel said.
The school is collecting clothing for the six children affected by the fire, while staff members brought the families groceries and pizza for dinner last night.
“There’s been a steady stream of people bringing in small appliances, linens and bedding,” McDaniel said. “It’s really unbelievable. This is when a community’s true integrity is tested.”
Businesses have also been quick to help. One of the families lost their car keys in the fire and were concerned how to gain access to their older automobile. Bob Carter Auto Body not only found a used steering column and keys, but also offered to donate all labor for the repair, McDaniel said.
O’Hare Towing, another local company stepped up to tow the car into Carter’s — again at no charge.
Meanwhile, McDaniel met Mike Busse, president of the Community Bank of Downers Grove, to establish a fund to help with rent, utilities, food, medication and other necessities for the three Puffer school families who lost their homes.
Checks made payable to “Puffer Elementary Fire Fund” can be dropped off or mailed to Community Bank of Downers Grove, Attn: Jeanine Sorn, 1111 Warren Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Courage, action, and luck kept this from being a huge tragedy. Wonder what the building owner has to say about that lack of alarm notice.
The fire was in the attic. There arent smoke detectors in there
community acting as a community. Gives me goosebumps!
I’m surprised that Chief Jackson made no mention of the fact that the building immediately to the south of this fire also burned to the ground on a VERY cold winter night about 20 years ago… As I recall, the problem was similar, in that the fire traveled quickly through the attic. Since the buildings preceded current building codes, the fire walls did not go through the roof thereby allowing rapid expansion of the fire in both buildings! I can’t believe I’m the only one in DG that remembers the first fire…Thankfully, in both fires, no one was seriously injured.
Yes, I remember it as well. Lived a bit south of the tracks then and my snow covered back yard was littered with burnt matter carried by a strong NW wind. I knew two people that lived there at the time; one of whom had just gotten renter’s insurance which went into effect at 12:01am the following day.