Downers Grove Home Badly Damaged During Fire; No Injuries Reported

A home in the 4400 block of Pershing Avenue sustained about $175,000 in damages after a fire broke out on the upper level around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

No one was injured in a fire that caused extensive damage to a Downers Grove home Wednesday night, officials said. The fire broke out just before 4:20 p.m. in the upper level of a house in the 4400 block of Pershing Avenue, according to Downers Grove Fire Department spokesperson Marsha Geisler. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames, but were able to ventilate the roof and quickly suppress fire growth, Geisler said. No injuries were reported, but the family has been temporarily displaced due to the extensive damage to the structure, Geisler said. Damages are reported to be approximately $175,000. The Downers Grove Fire Department was assisted by five neighboring departments, including Westmont. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  There…

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Gas Leak Forces Downers Grove Residents, Businesses to Evacuate

A gas leak just south of Maple Avenue, near downtown Downers Grove, forced several residents and businesses to evacuate for nearly three hours Friday morning, officials said.

A gas leak near downtown Downers Grove forced several residents and businesses to evacuate for nearly three hours Friday morning, fire department officials said. A worker replacing sewer lines on Main Street, just south of Maple Avenue, hit a two-inch, high-pressure gas line around 8:13 a.m., according to Downers Grove Fire Department spokesperson Marsha Giesler. Firefighters and Nicor officials closed down Main Street between Maple Avenue and 55th Street while they determined the extent of the leak. Families in several residences and three businesses were ordered to evacuate, and were given the option to seek shelter at Fire Station 2 or the Lincoln Center. Others in the immediate area were directed to shelter in place until further …

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VIDEO: Downers Grove Firefighter Shaves Head for St. Baldrick's

Firefighter Jackie Johnson shaved her head to fight children's cancer during the 11th annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade on Sunday.

The chill in the air didn't keep the crowds away from downtown Plainfield on Sunday, as spectators lined the streets to watch the 11th annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade. Participants in this year's festivities included the Stockyard Kilty band, Keigher Academy of Irish Dance, Joliet Firefighters Pipes and Drums and numerous Plainfield businesses. The event capped off with a pub crawl for adults, while kids enjoyed inflatables, face painting and more in the family area at DesPlaines and Lockport streets. The parade coincided with the Naperville Knights of Columbus Holy Spirit Council's St. Baldrick's fundraiser, which raised more than $30,000 (and counting) to fight children's cancers. Held at the former Plainfield Fire Protection …

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Downers Grove Teen Overcomes Fear, Disability to Save Family from Fire

Autistic teen Brendon Harrison alerted his mother to a burning humidifier around 1:20 a.m. Sunday, allowing his family to exit the home and prevent significant damage.

Downers Grove Teen Overcomes Fear, Disability to Save Family from Fire

Autistic teen Brendon Harrison alerted his mother to a burning humidifier around 1:20 a.m. Sunday, allowing his family to exit the home and prevent significant damage.

Communicating is sometimes difficult for 14-year-old Brendon Harrison, a Downers Grove South student who suffers from autism.  Early Sunday morning, however, Brendon's bravery and quick thinking saved his family from a potentially life-threatening situation. Around 1:20 a.m.—while his parents, sister and dog were sound asleep in their rooms—Brendon was woken by the sound of crackling in the kitchen, which turned out to be the sounds of a burning humidifier. "He usually gets freaked out by loud noises like that, so I think he knew something was wrong downstairs," said Wendy Harrison, Brendon's mom. "He came to my room, and just kept yelling, 'Mom! Mom!'" Wendy said. "Initially I told him to go back to bed, because I was half-asleep myself. …

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Downers Grove Fire Department: Keep the Wreath Red This Christmas

Tips for keeping your home—and holiday decor—safe.

The Downers Grove Fire Department is reminding residents of several home safety tips to keep in mind during the holiday season. Wreaths with red bulbs will be displayed at each of the village's fire stations from through Jan. 1, 2013. If a holiday-related fire occurs during this time, one of the red lights in each station's wreaths will be changed to white.  The department asks that residents to "Keep the Wreath Red," and do their part to practice fire safety during the holiday months with the following tips: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:

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Hundreds Join Downers Grove Firefighters for 'Night at the Firehouse'

The fire department hosted an open house Wednesday night to celebrate Fire Prevention Week. Activities will conclude Friday with the Silent Parade to honor fallen firefighters.

The Downers Grove Fire Department celebrated National Fire Prevention Week on Wednesday with a community open house. Hundreds of families packed Station 5, 6701 Main St., for "Night at the Firehouse." Guests participated in a station tour, face painting, games, educational activities, and demonstrations of automobile extrication and rescue techniques. Downers Grove firefighters showed off various uniforms and protective apparel during the "Firefighter Fashion Show," and held a sprinkler demonstration using real fire. Fire Prevention Week activities will continue Friday with the 18th annual Silent Parade. Fire departments across the suburbs will pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to fire by displaying their lights, but not their…

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Downers Grove Fire Department Hosts 'Night at the Firehouse'

The department will celebrate Fire Prevention Week with an open house Wednesday night, and will participate in the Silent Parade on Friday.

The Downers Grove Fire Department will host a community open house Wednesday to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13). "Night at the Firehouse" will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Station 5, 6701 Main St. The public is invited to take a station tour, see demonstrations of automobile extrication and rescue techniques, and get acquainted with the various uniforms and protective apparel worn by firefighters in a variety of emergency situations during the "Firefighter Fashion Show." Also during the event, firefighters will demonstrate how quickly a fire can spread and the effectiveness of residential sprinklers in the side-by-side room demonstration.  "Freddie" the robot fire truck will be on hand to visit with families, …

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Cigarette Causes Minor Fire in Downers Grove Apartment

Residents were briefly evacuated Friday afternoon after a cigarette thrown in a bucket caused smoke damage in an apartment in the 4900 block of Fairview.

A small fire forced forced a brief evacuation of an apartment building on Fairview Avenue on Friday, blocking traffic just north of Maple Avenue for nearly an hour. Firefighters arrived at the apartment, 4925 Fairview Ave., around 12:50 p.m., just minutes after a resident reported smoky conditions. The fire appeared to be caused by a cigarette thrown into a plastic bucket, according to the Downers Grove Fire Department. The incident caused minor smoke damage, and one resident complained of smoke inhalation, fire officials said. No other injuries were reported. Crews were seen cleaning up the scene around 1:55 p.m. after residents were allowed back into their homes. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  There are plenty of ways to keep up on …

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Fire Department Sets Training in August

Fire department activity you are seeing is for training purposes.

If you see the Downers Grove Fire Department in the 4600 block of Seeley through Wednesday this week, do not fear. There is no real fire. The department is conducting training drills. Times of training will vary from day to day and will either be from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Fire department vehicles will be on the road, but will not block traffic. Signs will be posted in the area. Motorists should use caution when driving through this area. Other training sessions will be conducted

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