FRANKFORT, IL – Residents experienced a night of turmoil as firefighters responded to two separate house fires within a few hours, resulting in significant damage amounting to nearly half a million dollars combined.
According to the Frankfort Fire Protection District, the first blaze came in around 11:49 pm on June 3, 2023, when a homeowner in the 11500 block of Amhearst Ct. discovered a blaze in their attached garage. The fire quickly spread from the garage to the living area, prompting a swift response from the Frankfort Fire Protection District. Within just five minutes, the first engine arrived on the scene and reported an active fire situation. After an intense 45-minute battle, firefighters managed to bring the inferno under control.
No one was injured in the incident. Preliminary estimates report damage expected to range between $300,000 and $350,000.
The Frankfort Fire Protection District received support from neighboring fire departments, including Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, East Joliet, Orland, Lockport, Homer, and Wilmington Fire Protection Districts, as well as the Tinley Park, Park Forest, and Richton Park Fire Departments.
Hours later, just after 6 a.m. another emergency call was received at as a passerby reported a house on fire in the 300 block of W. Nebraska St.
Black smoke was reportedly billowing from the residence, accompanied by visible flames, raising alarm among the residents.
Within an impressive two-minute response time, the first fire engine arrived at the scene, discovering a fire originating from the back patio that had rapidly spread to the second story and attic.
Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control within 15 minutes, preventing further damage. No injuries were reported.
Damage estimates are expected to be between $80,000 and $100,000.
The New Lenox and Orland Fire Protection Districts, along with the Matteson and Tinley Park Fire Departments, lent their support to the Frankfort Fire Protection District during this second fire.
Investigations into the cause of both fires are currently underway.
