The Downers Grove Fire Department was notified about a garage fire Wednesday shortly before noon. Companies arrived at 5437 Fairhaven Court to find heavy fire and smoke which communicated into the house.

Bill Friedrich went to the scene shortly after the fire was knocked down and submitted several images along with this report from the department PIO:

On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 the Downers Grove Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call at 11:38 a.m. for a car fire in an attached garage at 5437 Fairhaven Court, Downers Grove, IL. Upon the fire department’s arrival flames were extending from the garage into the home. Thick smoke filled the neighborhood. The first responding unit was the Battlion Chief at 11:39 a.m. The first engine on the scene arrived within four minutes after that. The call was upgraded to a General alrm then to a MABAS box alarm. Firefighters had to take down walls and ceiling to extinguish all areas of the fire. The fire was struck (out) at 12:41 p.m. No injuries were reported. Due to the extent of damage to the structure, the family will not be able to move back into the home at this time. The Downers Grove Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the following departments: Tri-State, Lombard, Lemont, Lisle-Woodridge, Oak Brook, Darien-Woodridge, Naperville, Westmont, and the Downers Grove Police Department. Estimated damages are reported to be approximately $300,000. No other details are available at (this) time.

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Firefighters and chief officers in the 'A' sector after the fire had been knocked down. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Downers Grove Engine 1 in front of the house with four lines off was first on the scene. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

The fire began in the garage and communicated to the house which is no longer inhabitable. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Westmont, Lisle-Woodridge, Darien-Woodridge, Tri-State, Lombard, Lemont, Oak Brook, and Naperville responded to assist. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Downers Grove Engine 1, a 2008 Pierce Impel, was able to grab a hydrant right in front of the fire building. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

After the fire has been extinguished, firefighters standby awaiting another assignment. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Extensive damage is visible on the 'D' side of the house as firefighters perform overhaul. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

This shot from the 'A-D' corner shows how the fire travelled up the garage roof into the second floor. Bill Friedrich photo

 

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Downers Grove Engine 5 further down the block. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Another shot from the street shows the damage. Bill Friedrich photo

Downers Grove house fire 1-4-12 on Fairhaven Court

Lisle-Woodridge Truck 517 staged down the block. Bill Friedrich photo

The TribLocal has an article HERE.

A car fire sparked a blaze that gutted parts of a home on the West Side of Downers Grove Wednesday, forcing a family to stay with friends and causing an estimated $300,000 in damage, fire department officials said.

Flames quickly spread from an adjacent garage to the western half of the house in the 5400 block of Fairhaven Court. Fire crews say it only about 30 minutes to put out the fire, it wasn’t before significant damage was done.

The blaze was reported to the Downers Grove fire department at 11:38 a.m. Within two minutes, officials say they were on the scene as thick smoke filled the air. As flames spread to the upper reaches of the house, the status of the aid call was upgraded, drawing a response from eight area fire departments and Downers Grove police.

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