Beaconsfield House a Total Loss After Fire

Firefighters worked through the night into early Tuesday morning to contain a house fire on Beaconsfield in the Park. The fire destroyed the house but no one was injured in the blaze. 

The owner of the house called 911 to report the fire about 10:45 p.m. Monday, according to Park Police Chief David A. Hiller. They had the fire under control by 2 a.m., he said. 

"This was a tragic loss, especially this time of year," Hiller said. "The fortunate thing is that no one was hurt, residents or firefighters. Property can be replaced."

When crews arrived the back of the two-story house was engulfed in flames. Firefighters tried to contain the fire from inside of 1224 Beaconsfield but were forced out, Hiller said.

The extreme heat from the fire caused the vinyl siding on the neighboring houses to melt, which crews watched closely to ensure the fire didn't spread, he said. 

Food left on the stove in the kitchen ignited, causing the fire, Hiller said. Unfortunately, the house is a total loss, he said.

Park firefighters were the first to arrive. A second alarm garnered help from the City firefighters and a third alarm led to Farms firefighters responding. Shortly before 1 a.m., auxiliary members of the Farms department were called to the scene to begin helping with cleanup, Hiller said. 

The cold weather was a factor for firefighters and crews from the Department of Public Works were called to the scene to salt the area as crews worked to contain the blaze, Hiller said. 

Water used by the firefighters was freezing quickly and making the situation more hazardous, he said. Crews remained on the scene until about 6 a.m.

The resident has relatives in the Pointes where he will stay temporarily, Hiller said.

Hiller couldn't recall specifically the last three-alarm fire in the Park, but said this particular one was more about needing the manpower because of the weather conditions and risk of the neighboring houses catching fire.