Carpentersville men honored for putting out fire

It was a clear case of neighbors helping neighbors.

At Tuesday’s Carpentersville village board meeting, the board and Fire Chief John Schuldt honored four regular men for putting out a vehicle fire as it spread to a nearby house.

According to the resolution the board recognized in the men’s honor, the fire occurred July 13 and the fire department had just been dispatched to the blaze on the 4000 block of Stratford Lane.

Resident John Hudson saw the fire while he was driving to work.

He immediately pulled over and knocked on the door of the house, waking up the people inside. He then grabbed a garden hose and sprayed water on the fire to keep it from spreading.

Neighbors Douglas Bruss and Robert Varner then grabbed their own garden hoses and helped Hudson.

Neighbor Chana Chuth heard the commotion and grabbed a fire extinguisher to control the fire until firefighters arrived.

Their quick action saved both the family and the house, Schuldt said. The fire department also recognized the men with individual certificates of appreciation.

“We can’t repay you guys enough and neither can the owner of the house,” Schuldt said. “You make our job easier. You did that day and you risked your own safety to help save somebody else’s property.”

Firefighters raise money for muscular dystrophy: If you happen to drive through South Barrington Aug. 19 and 20, be on the lookout for firefighters from the East Dundee Fire Protection District at routes 59 and 72. They, like other firefighters across the country, will be holding their boots out for donations. The money they raise will go to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association, said fireman Mark Lutzow. On Aug. 19, the firefighters will be out from 3 to 6 p.m. The next day, they will be at the same intersection from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year, East Dundee collected $3,400, and this time they hope to double that figure. Everything they raise is pooled with other departments#146; collections and supports research, helps send affected kids to camp, buys equipment for them such as specialized wheelchairs, and helps provide counseling. But why South Barrington?#147;Our village doesn#146;t let us stand in the streets and collect for anything, but South Barrington does,#148; Lutzow said, adding that the fire protection district also covers South Barrington and expects to get a lot of money at that busy intersection. Ÿ Lenore T. Adkins covers Carpentersville, the Dundees, Huntley, Hampshire and Sleepy Hollow. To reach her, call (847) 608-2725 or email ladkins@dailyherald.com.