One Juvenile Hospitalized Following Joliet House Fire, Six Treated for Smoke Inhalation at the Scene

PHOTOS: At 4:50 p.m. on April 16th, Joliet Fire Department responded to 427 Liberty St. for reports of a structure fire. The first units arrived within 4 minutes of the call and were met with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of a 2-story single family dwelling. Multiple hose lines were used to extinguish the fire. All residents were able to get out of the building and one juvenile was transported to Silver Cross for evaluation with minor injuries. Six people were also treated for minor smoke inhalation by paramedics on the scene. Two adjacent houses suffered exposure damage from the fire. Other crews performed water supply, search, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, safety and support functions. Crews were on the scene for approximately two hours.
WJOL-AM 1340 Joliet

Fully staffed and ready to help, how fire chaplains serve Peoria departments and the community

VIDEO: In October of 2023, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger announced the new Fire Chaplain Program and its leader, Chaplain William Preston. On Tuesday, all twelve stations have their very own chaplain. The mission, to provide mental and emotional support to firefighters during and after trauma. But that’s not all, they are there for the community as they go through, potentially, the worst day of their life. House fires, medical calls, anywhere they are needed, they respond. Modeled from the Peoria Police Department’s chaplain program, Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger thought it would be a great idea to have someone available for his crew and the community. “This unique concept, you know, chaplains responding with fire units on the scene, you know, mirroring that same concept with PD, knowing that fire and police do two totally different jobs, both public sector, both first responders,” he said.
WMBD-TV CBS 31 Peoria

Metropolis Fire Department receives state funding for equipment

The Metropolis Fire Department received state funding for new equipment. Metropolis Fire took to Facebook on Friday to inform residents the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal provided the local department with a grant worth over $24,000. The state fire marshal chose Metropolis Fire as one of its recipients in the Small Equipment Grant Project. The $24,480 grant was approved so Metropolis Fire could buy new fire-resistant outfits. Six coats and six pants will be bought. The Grant program gives sums to local fire officials to purchase equipment that meets department needs. At the time of this article's publication, the Grant is not currently accepting applications. A list of available grants from the State Office is available on the Fire Marshal's website.
WSIL-TV ABC 3 Harrisburg

3 residents displaced after heavy flames engulf rear of house in Fox Lake

PHOTO: Three residents evacuated safely after the back of their house caught on fire in Fox Lake just after midnight on Sunday, leaving the residence uninhabitable. The Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded at 12:03 a.m. Sunday to the 200 block of East Grand Avenue in Fox Lake for a report of a structure fire. Firefighters arrived and found heavy fire coming from the back of the house, Fox Lake Fire Protection District Lt. Corinne Bauer said at the scene. All the residents were out of the single-story house when firefighters arrived. A fire hydrant just east of the house off Linden Avenue was used to establish a water supply, Bauer said. The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated, bringing in fire apparatus from departments in Lake and McHenry counties to the scene and to one of the Fox Lake fire stations for coverage.
Lake & McHenry County Scanner