Hanover Park home destroyed by fire

A major fire razed a Hanover Park early Saturday afternoon, displacing the family of six that lived there, fire officials said. There were no injuries.

The Hanover Park fire department received the call shortly before 2 p.m. When they arrived at the home on the 5500 block of Ridge Crossing, fire crews found heavy smoke pouring out of the two-story home, fire officials said.

A family of six two adults, a grandparent, and three children in their early teens escaped from the home before fire officials arrived, said Lt. Eric Fors of the Hanover Park fire department. Fire officials were able to rescue a pet turtle unharmed from inside the home.

Fire crews entered the home and began putting out the fire, but had to leave due to structural damage.

“The floor weakened and the first floor collapsed into the basement,” Hanover Park fire department Lt. Eric Fors said. “Our firefighters then used hose lines from outside the structure to put out the fire.”

Hanover Park fire fighters were assisted by fire crews from Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Roselle, Streamwood, Wheaton, Hoffman Estates and Carol Stream.

Fire officials estimated damage to the home at $250,000 and losses to the family's personal belongings at $35,000.

The family was relocated Saturday with assistance from the Red Cross and the Hanover Park fire chaplain. They are staying with other family members in the area.

As of late Saturday, fire officials had not yet determined the cause of the fire or where it began within the home.