Extra alarm 6-unit condo building fire on Le Parc Circle in Buffalo Grove. YouTube Tips ⓘ
A fire that started in one townhouse unit in the block of 300 Le Park Circle in Buffalo Grove spread to all six townhouse units in the six-unit building while winds, gusting from the west, reached 21 MPH to 30 MPH as reported at National Weather Service stations at O’Hare International and Chicago Executive Airport on Saturday afternoon, March 8, 2025. No injuries were reported, according to Buffalo Grove Fire Department Chief Larry Kane, speaking just after the extra alarm fire was extinguished. The fire was mostly extinguished by 3:30 p.m., but many firefighters stayed on the scene to watch for re-kindling, carry out overhaul assignments, and help residents gather some of their important items from the townhouse units.
Two cats were rescued.
Apparently, the fire began on the north side of the building, and spread to the south and east side of the six-unit, two-story building from about 1:35 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday when firefighters put a stop to the advance of the fire.
Extra alarm condo fire aftermath video on Le Parc Circle Buffalo Grove with statement from Buffalo Grove Fire Department Chief Larry Kane (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Buffalo Grove responded about 1:35 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025 to a report of smoke in the six-unit, two-story townhouse condominium building, at an address of 321 Le Park Circle in Buffalo Grove. Doors in the townhouse units provide entrance and exit directly to the outdoors, and the initial report was that all residents were evacuated safely.
Firefighters began with an aggressive interior attack, but had to transition to defensive mode. Firefighters were ordered to evacuate the building, and fight the fire from outside. A witness reported that fire blew out windows like an explosion at one point. A deck gun was used at the top of a Buffalo Grove fire engine to apply a heavy stream of water at the fire. Water was also streamed from above from at least four trucks with ladders or ladder platforms. Northbrook’s Tower Ladder 12 crew was positioned at the east side of the building, where significant fire was last seen from outside, pushing through the east wall. A short time later smoke cleared and the fire was under control.
In the aftermath, parts of the east was wall was burned through with charred frame studs visible, where firefighters put an end to the advance of the fire. Also, there were large gaping holes in the roof of the building.
Firefighters from over 20 municipalities and fire districts provided mutual aid assistance to Buffalo Grove firefighters.
Initially, extra firefighters, paramedics and/or command officers were assigned from Arlington Heights, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Long Grove, Northbrook, and Wheeling at about 1:43 p.m. to provide mutual aid assistance for Buffalo Grove firefighters.
Then an extra alarm or MABAS Box Alarm was activated.
A MABAS Division 1 Box Alarm #26-F2 was activated at 2:05 p.m.
The MABAS Box Alarm was elevated to a 2nd Alarm about 2:19 p.m.
The MABAS Box Alarm was elevated to a 3rd Alarm about 3:00 p.m.
Firefighters, paramedics and/or command officers from Antioch, Countryside, Deerfield, Elk Grove Village, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Gurnee, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Lake Villa, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Northbrook, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Round Lake, Schaumburg, and Wheeling. Staging was at Lake Cook Road and Lexington.
The Box Alarm was struck out at 3:38 p.m.
Buffalo Grove police officers and CERT volunteers were also on scene for traffic control and support of residents.
Buffalo Grove publics works personnel also brought light towers to the scene.
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