Structure Fire – 29W 542 Country Ridge Drive, Warrenville IL

At 10:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 29, 2018, the Warrenville Fire Protection District was notified via multiple 9-1-1 callers of a structure fire in a multiple unit apartment complex located at 29W 542 Country Ridge Drive Warrenville.

The first arriving crews on the scene reported heavy flames and smoke coming out the first floor apartment floor and spreading to the second floor balcony and windows. Reports of occupants still in the building were reported by bystanders and Warrenville Police. A large fire attack hose line was stretched and immediate fire suppression actions were applied that darkened the heavy fire. Fire crews determined that a fire was located in the first floor unit that includes a total of 6 (six) apartments all near where the fire originated.

A General Alarm was dispatched and quickly upgraded to a Box Alarm Level sending five (5) engines, five (5) to we r ladders, one (1) heavy rescue squad, four (4) medic units, and a Command Team to the scene, providing f o r t y – e i g h t (48) Firefighters to the scene. In addition, resources were also provided from Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Fermi Lab, Naperville, West Chicago, Winfield and Lisle-Woodridge Fire Districts and Departments. The Warrenville Police Department assisted the occupants of the building. Com-Ed assisted with building electrical systems to reduce further risk to firefighters.

The first arriving crews on the scene stretched a hose-line and began extinguishment of the fire while additional firefighters advanced a second hose-line, began search & rescue of occupants and raised multiple ladders to the second and third floor balconies. Ventilation of the thick black toxic smoke was being removed from the building. The other companies supported fire suppression efforts and the safety of all firefighters inside of the large 75 foot X 150 foot three (3) three story multifamily apartment structure. The majority of the fire was under control and all occupants were removed from the apartment units involved within a thirty (30) minute time frame. Fire crews were committed to stopping the spread of fire and coordinated actions that limited further fire damage; heavy smoke damage to five (5) additional apartments made the building un-inhabitable to occupants.

The multi-unit apartment complex is connected to twelve (12) additional apartment units that is separated by fire walls. The multiunit apartment complex does not have automatic sprinklers and were not required at the time they were built.

The DuPage County Task Force was notified and arrived on the scene to determine the cause and origin of the fire which is pending. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. If you have further questions, please contact Fire Chief Dennis Rogers at 630-393-1381.