Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:
A massive fire in Tower Lakes proved to be difficult to fight, when firefighters couldn’t access water in the area. One person was injured in the blaze, and a dog was missing.
The fire started shortly after 9 p.m. at a home in the 100 block of South Hills Drive. Wauconda Fire District officials said the area does not have hydrants, which slowed firefighting until more trucks arrived to provide extra water. Crews from 23 other fire departments helped fight the fire.
The people who live in the home escaped with all but one of their dogs, who was missing. One person who lives in the home was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
The blaze caused about $250,000 in damage. The cause is under investigation.
#1 by Joe Smith on November 17, 2018 - 5:32 PM
If your home is of modern construction, using lightweight trusses and I-joists, sprinklers are likely to play a decisive role in saving it from a total loss, regardless of whether or not there are hydrants nearby.
#2 by Austin on November 17, 2018 - 9:58 AM
Chuck, you are pretty much right. I grew up in unincorporated Kane County, now part of Campton Hills. There was only one hydrant for miles, and that was at KDOTS yard, which I lived down the road from. So we always felt we had a fighting chance. Now all the new developments have them. Another way to not worry about no hydrants where you live would be to have sprinklers. It might cost a lot up front, but if there were a fire damage would be a lot less.
#3 by Chuck on November 16, 2018 - 1:46 PM
You choose to live in an area with no hydrants, it should almost be a given you should plan on losing your house if it catches fire. Not to mention paying sky high insurance rates.