Wednesday, September 12, 2007

West Chicago Home unihabitable after fire

West Chicago home uninhabitable after fire

By Michael Wamble and Jake Griffin | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 9/11/2007 12:57 PM | Updated: 9/11/2007 5:28 PM

West Chicago fire officials are investigating the cause of a morning blaze that devastated a county-owned housing facility for adults with mental disabilities.

Meanwhile, the DuPage County Health Department, which runs the facility, is working to relocate eight displaced residents.

"Any resident that needs a place will be relocated," said Maureen McHugh, the health department's executive director.

Given the extent of today's fire, McHugh said, she's relieved no one was injured.

"We can always get a new building," she said.

Built around 1875, the two-story house at 142 Wood Street previously was operated by Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. It was known as the Edith Bruckner Guest House for senior services before it was purchased by the health department.

This morning, West Chicago firefighters received a 911 call at 10:53 a.m. Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames and heavy smoke coming from the wood-framed building.

Paula Hahn, a secretary at nearby Glen Arbor Community Church, said things looked normal around 10:20 a.m. at the house. That soon changed, she said.

"It was just like รข€˜Poof'," Hahn said. "You could hardly see anything through the thick black clouds. The whole end was engulfed with big flames, and the fire engines were coming."

Streets were blocked off at Washington and Joliet streets, as firefighters battled the blaze.

Fire Chief Ronald Ackerman said the building is uninhabitable. He estimates it could take months of repair work before residents could return.

Most of the damage occurred at the rear of the structure and a wrap-around porch, with the darkest charred area near an indoor grill visible from the street.

Despite the damage, firefighters were able to remove medications and medical records.

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