Investigators: TV caused Bensenville fire

A faulty television set appears to have caused one of the worst apartment fires in recent Bensenville history, authorities said Tuesday.

Sunday afternoon's blaze at the Royal Grove Apartments on the 1100 block of Grove Avenue caused roughly $250,000 in damages, injured a firefighter and left at least one family homeless.

"As far as apartment fires, this was the worst we've had in about five years," Bensenville Fire Chief Mike Spain said. "Our guys were very aggressive. If they haven't been, the fire would have been a lot worse. It was virtually like an inferno."

The fire started in the living room of one of the apartments, authorities said. No one was home at the time.

A faulty TV had been left on in the living room, but investigators say they don't know if turning it off would have prevented the electrical fire.

The apartment where the fire started had a fire alarm, but it did not appear to be operational, Spain said. By the time firefighters extinguished the flames, the unit was destroyed.

In addition, five other apartments sustained smoke and water damage, Spain said.

Red Cross officials have since found temporary residences for those displaced by the fire.

No residents were injured. But a Bensenville firefighter handling the nozzle of one hose was scalded by the intense heat.

"He's doing just fine," Spain said. "He just got superficial burns to the hands and face. He was treated on the scene and released."

Firefighters also rescued a Chihuahua that was trapped in the fire. The dog is fine, authorities said.