No People Injured, but Three Pets Die in Naperville Fire

More than 30 firefighters battled a blaze at a single family home in Naperville this afternoon, working against wind speeds of more than 30 mph.

Responders were called at 1:56 p.m. to the home at 829 Bauer Road by a neighbor who reported seeing flames inside, according to a new release sent by the Naperville Fire Department.

Firefighters were greeted at 2:02 p.m. by heavy smoke and flames emanating from second floor windows of the two-story, wood frame home, stated the release. Though no people were inside, three family pets died from heavy smoke and heat.

"Firefighters immediately began an aggressive interior fire attack, forcing entry to the front door and stretching hose lines to the second floor of the structure," stated the release. "… Heavy wind conditions pushed fire through the entire second floor and accelerated the movement of heat and fire throughout the attic."

The flames burned through the flooring on the home's second level, but they were under control within about 20 minutes. Firefighters remained on scene for more than two hours squelching smaller, isolated fires in the home and "conducting salvage and overhaul operations," stated the release.

None of the 31 firefighters were injured during the effort. Responding were two truck companies, one heavy rescue squad, two medic units, three chief officers and units of the Naperville Department of Public Utilities and the Naperville Police Department. Plainfield and Bolingbrook fire departments also assisted.

Building inspectors from the Naperville Department of Transportation, Engineering and Development have deemed the residence to be uninhabitable. The preliminary damage estimate is around $200,000.

Information about what started the fire was unavailable Tuesday but members of the fire department's investigations team were working to answer that question.