Structure Fire 100 S. Birchwood in Naperville
At 11:46PM on Wednesday night (10/7/15), Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a 911 call from the resident reporting smoke inside her home but unable to determine the location.
PSAP initially dispatched a full still assignment which consisted of two truck companies, an engine company, a medic company, 2 shift commanders and 2 rescue vehicles, (15 personnel). PSAP received a second call from a neighbor reporting fire could be seen from the home. The alarm was upgraded to a general response adding an engine, truck, squad and medic company for the confirmed structure fire, (26 personnel).
The first unit was on the scene within 6 minutes and reported smoke visible from the exterior of the structure. Fire attack was initiated by the first arriving truck and engine companies. As additional fire units arrived they assisted with deploying fire attack lines into the structure in an attempt to locate and confine the fire.
Interior crews immediately conducted a search to locate any occupants. Attack crews were slowed by the accumulation of furniture and storage within the structure, however were able to identify the origin of the fire to be within the basement.
Crews also determined that all occupants were accounted for and safe outside of the residence. Crews continued to work aggressively within the structure but damage from the fire rendered the building unsafe and crews were immediately evacuated by command.
The fire attack transitioned into a defensive, exterior attack in an attempt to limit damage. Crews were accounted for and the general alarm was upgraded to a box alarm bringing another 3 engines, truck and medic into staging along with support personnel from the MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System) 16 IMAT Team.
Submitted by Amy Scheller- FO, MPSA, EMTP, Bureau Chief of EMS for the Naperville Fire Department
