At approximately 4:40 AM on June 27th, the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department, part of MABAS Division 12, responded to a fire call from a homeowner on Dawes Avenue in the 500 block. The house was already engulfed when first responders arrived.
Stephen Wilcox, a local photographer and observer, was on the scene early and provided detailed accounts, commentary, and photos that captured the intensity of the fire. He noted that the family had safely evacuated through the rear of the house, using the lower-level double doors. According to Craig Eldridge, a spokesperson for the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, the homeowners were alerted by smoke detectors and escaped without harm.
The fire quickly spread, with heavy flames bursting from the front door. From the street, the house appeared to have two levels, but the rear told a different story. The basement and first floor were fully involved, with fire consuming the back area of the home. A cooking pit and three propane tanks were found in the area where the fire originated, and all three tanks exploded, contributing significantly to the rapid spread of the blaze.
As the fire grew, firefighters deployed two-and-a-half-inch lines to bring it under control before using a tower to reach the roof-attic area. Despite their efforts, both the second floor and the attic collapsed during the firefighting operation. Water supply was limited due to the four-inch mains in the area, so crews had to manage water usage carefully.
Throughout the night, the fire remained active in the attic and roof, even as the first floor and basement were brought under control. As dawn broke, the full extent of the damage became clear, with the once-familiar home now reduced to smoldering remains.
Stephen’s images and reports offer a rare and detailed look into the challenges faced by first responders and the destructive power of a rapidly spreading residential fire. His work not only documents the event but also highlights the importance of quick action and proper incident assessment in such emergencies.
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