Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The Oak Park apartment complex destroyed by a fire last week is too dangerous to investigate, officials say, and the building is being demolished.
According to a release from the village of Oak Park, the extent of the damage to the building in the 200 block of Washington Boulevard made it impossible to trace the fire’s origin.
Oak Park Deputy Fire Chief Peter Pilafas said investigators believe they know where the fire began, but identifying a cause wasn’t possible. “The origin of the fire appears to be in the rear of the structure,” Pilafas said. “There was too much damage to the structure to safely get in where the origin of the fire was.”
About 40 people were displaced when the fire began at approximately 9:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Firefighters from 11 area departments were able to extinguish most of the blaze more than six hours later. Crews remained on the scene days after the fire to monitor hot spots and flare-ups.
The building’s roof collapsed and much of the top floor was gutted. Authorities used two Pace buses to keep residents warm as crews battled the blaze.
According to the village, the building was likely constructed in the 1920s, and was deemed a total loss.
One firefighter was taken to Loyola University Medical Center with heat exhaustion, but was later released, according to a news release. None of the building’s residents were injured.
Gift card donations are being collected for the six District 97 families who were affected by the fire. Gift cards can be dropped off at Longfellow School, 715 S. Highland Ave., until Nov. 2. The items will be given to families on a regular basis, or as needed in the days ahead. Shoppers at Pete’s Fresh Market, 259 Lake St., can also provide cash donations at checkout lines through Oct. 31.
