PEOTONE, Ill. – The Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) had a busy day responding to two fires in the Peotone area.
At around noon, crews were called to a structure fire on the 10200 block of West Barr Road. The MFPD received a report of a fully engulfed pickup truck with fire spreading to the residential structure at the West Barr Road address. Within seven minutes of the initial call, the first units arrived at the scene. Fire crews found the engine of the pickup truck parked in the driveway of a medium-sized two-story residential structure fully engulfed in flames, which had communicated to the attached garage.
A full still was activated for additional personnel and equipment, and firefighters were quick to establish a water supply and begin a fire attack on the truck. Although the fire had spread to the attached garage, it was controlled before reaching the attic of the garage or the house. Within ten minutes of first arrival, the fire was contained and extinguished.
All occupants safely evacuated the building, and no injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.
As the MFPD was responding to the structure fire, another brush fire was reported on South Route 52 between W Baker Road and Delaney Road. Fire crews were able to quickly establish a water supply and control the fire. The fire was contained within 20 minutes of the arrival of the first units, and no injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.
Multiple agencies, including Frankfort Fire Protection District, East Joliet Fire Protection District, Mokena Fire Protection District, and University Park Fire Protection District, were on the scene and at the Manhattan Fire Stations to cover any additional calls for service during that time.
The MFPD is continuing to investigate the cause of the fires, and no information has been released regarding injuries or fatalities resulting from the structure fire on West Barr Road.
