10 Departments Spend Six Hours Fighting Denburn Woods House Fire

Downers Grove firefighters, aided by more than 10 neighboring departments, worked for six hours to subdue a house fire at 5310 Meadow Lane in Denburn Woods Saturday evening.

Two firefighters, including one from Downers Grove, sustained minor injuries and were taken to area hospitals. The residents of the two-story home were away when the fire broke out and no civilians were injured.

The Downers Grove Fire Department received several 911 calls reporting the fire at 4:32 p.m., said Marsha Giesler, public information officer. "Upon the fire department’s arrival at 4:35 p.m. they encountered heavy smoke and fire within the residence," she said in a release. "The fire was elevated to a second alarm" with more than 10 neighboring fire departments responding to offer aid.

The fire was extinguished at 10:28 p.m., although firefighters continued to battle hot spots within the home, said Fire Chief James G. Jackson Sr. He said the work was hampered by the heavy damage sustained by the structure, making it unsafe.

Smoke continued to rise from the home well after the fire was subdued, illuminated by a huge spotlight—called a Luna Light and provided by the Willow Springs department— that bathed the home in bright light. The odor of smoke was carried on the air for blocks.

The area around Denburn Woods, including Maple Avenue and Brookbank Road, was closed to traffic for hours. Dozens of fire and rescue vehicles were visible.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.