Glen Ellyn fire damage tops $3 million

Investigators sifting through the ruins of a large house fire on the outskirts of Glen Ellyn said the blaze did more than $3 million damage.

The three-alarm fire ripped through the second story and attic of the house that was being remodeled on the 1S400 block of Sunnybrook Road. Firefighters battled both flames and smoke for about three hours Tuesday afternoon before the blaze was extinguished.

“We knew the smoke and water damage was extensive but we’re now able to estimate losses in the $3 million to $4 million range,” Glen Ellyn Lt. Craig Eldridge said Wednesday. “The damage extends well beyond the structure and into the contents. This is a very beautiful home we’re talking about.”

The cause of the blaze has not been determined, but authorities said parts of the home’s second story were being remodeled.

“The investigators are deep into their work now but the extent of the damage is going to make this a long, slow process,” Eldridge said. “It could take several days before we know what kicked this thing off, but we’re certainly not expecting to find anything suspicious.”

The home’s owners, Joseph and Patricia Trindl, were on the scene and watching firefighters work the fire from their front lawn Tuesday but declined to comment.

Eldridge said they were taken in by some of many friends and family members who supported them Tuesday.

“This family had a tragic loss but they appear to have a great network of friends and family supporting them and taking them in,” he said. “This is a tragic loss but by no means are they homeless.”