Structure Fire in the 1000 Block of Frances Court

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — At 8:24 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, Naperville's Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a call reporting smoke coming from the roof of a two-story residential building around the 1000 Block of Frances Court. ECC immediately dispatched a general alarm assignment to the reported location. A general alarm assignment consists of three engines, two ladder trucks, one heavy rescue squad, two medic units, and two battalion commanders.

At 8:30 p.m., Naperville Engine 3 arrived on the scene and reported that a two-story residential home had smoke showing from the roof of the building. Engine companies conducted a 360-degree survey of the structure and made entry to the house, finding heavy smoke on the first floor of the home. Engine 3 and the first arriving fire companies established command and began an aggressive interior attack of the fire. Fire Department companies found fire on both the first and second floors of the home, which was compounded by the presence of a large hole that had burned through the floor of the second floor due to the heavy fire.

The alarm was elevated due to the heat and the challenging fire conditions. NFD personnel were able to contain and knock down the body of fire within 60 minutes of the initial call, but remained on scene for an additional three hours to conduct overhaul and salvage operations, as well as try to cool any remaining hot areas of the home. Fire department personnel reported that no one was home at the time of the incident, confirmed by primary and secondary searches of the entire structure.

At 6:14 a.m. the following morning, July 30, Naperville ECC received a call from a passerby reporting light smoke coming from the roof of the same address. Fire companies were dispatched and found a small amount of smoke and heat in the roof area of the home. NFD companies stretched a hose line to the roof and soaked down the area of concern.

The Naperville Fire Department was assisted on the scene by the Naperville Police Department and the City of Naperville's Transportation and Engineering Department, Naperville Electric Department, NICOR, the Wheaton Fire Department, the Warrenville Fire Protection District, and the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District. The Plainfield Fire Protection District, Bolingbrook Fire Department, and Oswego Fire Protection District provided station coverage during the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Naperville Fire Department's investigations team. Damages to the home are estimated at $100,000. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters as a result of this incident. The building is currently deemed uninhabitable.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.