Neighbors rescue two adults from fire that destroyed garage on Dryden Avenue near Clarendon Street, Arlington Heights (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Neighbors near Dryden Avenue and Clarendon Street rescued two adult neighbors from a fire that engulfed their detached garage, engulfed the parked vehicle inside, and threatened their home. Neighbors heard a loud bang and then a soft bang with flames and smoke blowing out of a detached garage on the west side of Dryden Avenue. Four or five neighbors rushed to the scene. One rescued a man who was trying to save his vehicle that was burning inside the garage. The Good Samaritan encouraged him to get away from the fire, and brought him away from the garage down his driveway near the sidewalk. Visibility was zero at the front of the garage and along the driveway near the garage, and one neighbor held his breath as he rescued the homeowner because the smoke was so thick and toxic smelling. The homeowner that was in the garage was in shock, and appeared to have an injured hand — possibly a burn injury.
Next, the neighbor next-door grabbed a sledgehammer because all the neighbors that responded knew the man’s wife used a wheelchair, and learned that she was still inside the house. The house was engulfed with thick smoke from the garage fire. One man rushed to the front door and broke open the locked front door with his sledgehammer. The neighbors picked up the woman and brought her out of the house and down to the sidewalk at the front of the house. As they turned around, they could hear sirens as the fire department responded and arrived. Paramedics approached to aid the two residents. Other firefighters took action to extinguish the fire at the garage, which was now fully-engulfed with flames.
According to the Arlington Heights Fire Department, the first arriving crews reached the scene within three minutes, and discovered a single-car garage fire situated next the home on the property. When firefighters arrived, the garage was already fully engulfed with flames. The Arlington Heights Fire Department said one occupant escaped unassisted, while the other occupant was rescued by a neighbor who upon noticing the fire, used a sledgehammer to force open the locked front door of the home, and carried the occupant safely out of the home.
Firefighters immediately assessed the fire situation and initiated an aggressive attack on the fire. Firefighters conducted a thorough search of the residence to ensure all occupants were out of the house. Following the thorough search, firefighters confirmed that no additional people were in the house, according to the Arlington Heights Fire Department.
There were several neighboring buildings exposed to fire near the burning detached garage, including the property of the neighbor who responded with the sledgehammer. An electrical utility pole was also affected by flames, and at least one power line burned through. The severed line fell to the ground. Fortunately, firefighters were able to successfully contain the fire to the detached garage, and prevent the fire from spreading to the main residence or other neighboring structures. There was only minor damage to a detached garage in the backyard of a home located on Beverly Avenue behind the backyard where the burning garage was located.
Both occupants were evaluated on the scene by Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics, and one of the victims was transported to an area hospital for further care, according to the Arlington Heights Fire Department. The other person was released at the scene.
The Arlington Heights Fire Department commended the neighbor’s quick and selfless actions for removing the neighbors from danger.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Arlington Heights Fire and Police Fire Investigation Team.
Firefighters, paramedics and/or command officers from Mount Prospect Fire Department and Prospect Heights Fire Protection District were assigned to assist Arlington Heights firefighters at the scene. Fire station coverage was provided by firefighters, paramedics, and or command officers from Glenview, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Wheeling.
ComEd and Nicor also responded to the scene to secure or repair the utilities.
Arlington Heights police officers also provided assistance at the scene and managed traffic nearby. Dryden Avenue was closed between Olive Street and Oakton Street. Westbound Clarendon Street was blocked at Dryden Avenue east of the fire scene. Beverly Avenue access to Dryden Avenue was also blocked where Beverly Avenue is located west of the fire scene.
Chicago Executive Airport Weather
NWS Weather Observations 9:52 AM
Overcast and 22°F
Wind from North at 6.9 MPH.
Air pressure 30.43
Humidity 68%.
Wind Chill 14°F.
Posted at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport – via NOAA’s National Weather Service
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