Downed power line touches fence, sparks fire

A chain-link fence served as a conduit and sparked a small fire on a house’s exterior after making contact with a downed power line in Mount Prospect Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The house’s gutters and downspout were left charred — but the flames did not spread to the inside — according to Battalion Chief Randy Uidl of the Mount Prospect Fire Department.

Emergency crews were called to the house on the 900 block of Quince Lane at 2:55 p.m. for a report of a downed power line that had caused a small grass fire. About 15 minutes later, the line made contact with the fence, causing a “big flash,” and prompting fire officials to upgrade their alarm and call for additional crews, Uidl said.

No injuries were reported, he said.

ComEd crews responded to the scene to shut off the power and repair the line.