Evanston fire companies extinguished two structure fires within a two-hour period on Friday, a department official reported in a press release the same day.
“The Evanston Fire Department can credit the professionalism of its personnel for the quick response time to both structures, which averaged 3 minutes, and the working smoke alarms, which alerted residents to call 9-1-1 to report the fires,” said Division Chief Dwight Hohl in the release.
The first fire occurred at approximately 12:16 p.m. on the 1700 block of Darrow Avenue, at a two-and-a-half story residence, Hohl said in his release.
He said the department’s battalion chief was first on the scene, reporting smoke and upgrading the alarm, which resulted in additional Evanston fire companies responding to the scene.
Firefighters were able to locate and extinguish the fire, which had started in the kitchen area of the second floor apartment, Hohl said. The fire was brought under control at about 12:30 p.m., he said.
The male resident on the second floor sustained smoke inhalation, was evaluated on the scene, and transported to the local hospital for follow-up care, according to Hohl.
The second fire response was on the 2100 block of Maple Avenue, a student residence, at approximately 2:49 p.m., Hohl said. Residents of the first floor reported hearing the smoke alarm and smelling smoke, he said. Evanston firefighters extinguished a mattress fire located on the third floor, Hohl said. There were no reports of injuries to Evanston fire personnel, he said.
The Evanston Fire Prevention Bureau will be investigating both fires for the cause and origin, he said.
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