Above / Naperville Fire Department responds to structure fire at 720 Raymond Drive. (PN File Photo)
At 6:12AM July 20, 2016, Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a fire alarm activation at 720 Raymond Drive. The alarm activation was received from the fire alarm board located in the dispatch center.
PSAP immediately dispatched a general alarm assignment of three engines, two trucks, one squad, two ALS ambulances, and two shift commanders to the scene.
The first arriving unit (Truck Company 9) reported smoke coming from the roof of the three-story assisted-living facility.
Fire crews ascended to the third floor and confirmed a light haze of smoke as well as fire in a dryer exhaust ventilation system that extended through the rooftop. The fire had spread to roofing material around the vent as well. Crews began extinguishing the fire and checking for fire extension in the third floor ceiling area. Third floor residents were moved to a safe area inside the building while crews continued checking for fire extension in areas immediately below the exhaust ventilation system.
The incident was elevated to the Box Alarm level at 6:52AM due to the operation being extended in order to check for fire in hidden areas and void spaces, as well as high heat and humidity levels related to weather conditions. The Box Alarm assignment brought an additional three engines, one truck, one ambulance, one Rescue Unit, MABAS Division #16 IMAT Chief Response, and Mutual Aid companies to backfill Naperville fire stations.
The fire was brought under control within thirty minutes of the fire department’s arrival and completely extinguished within ninety minutes.
Crews remained on the scene for an additional hour completing overhaul, removing smoke with portable fans, and assisting with moving residents to unaffected areas of the facility. There were no injuries to either civilians or firefighters. There was moderate fire damage to the roof, third story ceiling, and offices, however the facility was deemed habitable by the Transportation, Engineering, & Development (T.E.D.) inspector on scene.
No residents were displaced as a result of the fire and the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.
The Naperville Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Naperville Police Department as well as the Transportation, Engineering, & Development department. Units from the Plainfield, Lisle-Woodridge, and Warrenville Fire Protection Districts, as well as the Downers Grove and Bolingbrook Fire Departments assisted in providing coverage to the rest of the city during the incident. In addition to the mutual aid companies Chiefs from the Lisle-Woodridge, Downers Grove, Warrenville, & Bolingbrook Departments responded to the scene.
News story submitted by James Kubinski Bureau Chief for the Naperville Fire Department.
