Building With Mechanic, Residence Uninhabitable After Fire: Aurora FD

AURORA, IL — A building housing a mechanic and residence was deemed uninhabitable after a fire broke out on April 17, Aurora fire officials said.

A two-story, mixed-use building in the 1000 block of Dearborn Avenue caught fire at about 8:30 p.m., bringing 26 personnel to the scene.

The first units to arrive encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the second-floor windows, and as firefighters made their way up the interior stairs, they found high heat and active fire on the second floor, according to a news release.

Crews used multiple hose lines to attack the fire while firefighters simultaneously searched both floors to confirm the building was unoccupied. One person who arrived on the scene was treated for minor smoke inhalation and released, officials said.

Officials did not say what caused the fire but indicated the incident remains under investigation.

"This fire highlights how quickly flames can spread in older mixed-use buildings," Aurora Fire Chief David McCabe said in a statement. "Our firefighters did an outstanding job bringing this incident under control before it could spread to adjacent properties."