Lombard Fire Department Responds to Basement Fire, No Injuries Reported

Smoke was seen by Lombard Fire Department employees at Station 1 and companies were responding to the fire before the call was even received, according to Lombard Battalion Chief, Ron Rakosnik. Upon arrival, Lombard Fire Department firefighter/paramedics witnessed smoke coming out of every level of the two-story home with no fire in sight. “I saw smoke everywhere,” said Rakosnik.

Engine 45 was the first on scene and upon investigation determined that the fire was in the basement of the home. The resident of the home was outside when the Fire Department arrived on the scene and reported that no one was inside the house. The resident informed firefighters that the family dog was still inside the house.

Lombard Engine 45's crew entered into the basement with hose lines for extinguishment, backed up by Engine 44. Truck 52 conducted a primary search of the residence and rescued the dog from the burning house.

The fire was extinguished in approximately 15 minutes and it was discovered that a mattress in the basement caught fire. There was no structural damage. The family will be displaced for the evening at a local hotel, pending clean up of the home.

The cause of the fire was determined to have been started from a malfunctioning fan that fell onto the mattress and the heat from the fan caught the mattress on fire, which spread to nearby combustibles, such as clothing and drapery. Damages and clean up are estimated at approximately $60,000.

Mutual aid assistance was given by York Center, Oak Brook, Elmhurst and Villa Park. The last fire company left the scene at 12:01 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Rakosnik at (630) 620-5734.