2 More House Fires In Joliet: Fire Department Reveals Why

JOLIET — The Joliet Fire Department extinguished not just one, but two different house fires that happened on Wednesday, including one fire that involved a propane torch.

According to battalion chief Jim Batusich, the following are the key details from both fires:

The First Fire:

At 2:30 p.m., the Joliet Fire Department responded to the 300 block of Third Avenue for a report of a structure fire in a 2-story structure. The first due Company arrived within 3 minutes of the call and entered the structure to find smoke on the second floor. Interior crews were able to extinguish the fire before it extended to other parts of the structure.

The homeowner was soldering pipe and started the wall on fire. The structure sustained water and smoke damage. Occupants of the home made it outside prior to the fire engines' arrival. There were no injuries to report. The fire was declared under control within 15 minutes. Fire crews from stations 1,3, 4, 5 and 6 responded to the scene.

The Second Fire:

At 9 p.m., the Joliet Fire Department responded to a possible fire in the Central District in the 600 block of Nicholson Street. Within 2 minutes of the call, Company 5 was the 1st unit on the scene and reported smoke coming from the 1st floor.

Company 5 found the fire had originated in the basement. The fire was quickly extinguished before it extended throughout the structure. The occupants stated they were “using a small propane torch to thaw out frozen water pipes in the basement,” when the fire started.

The fire was under control within 20 minutes. One person was treated at the scene by Joliet Paramedics and released. Fire Crews from stations 1,5, and 6 responded to the scene.