| At approximately 02:57 pm on Thursday, December 12th, the Beecher Fire Protection District along with automatic aid responded for a structure fire at 1220 S. Dixie Hwy. The first crews arrived on the scene within 5 minutes and reported heavy fire coming from a one-story residential structure. A full still was activated for additional personnel and equipment. The initial fire company began an aggressive interior attack of the fire and searched for any occupants. Companies on the scene encountered a significant delay in establishing a positive water supply due to four inoperable fire hydrants along Dixie Hwy between Church Rd and Chestnut Lane. At this time, the incident was upgraded to the MABAS Box Alarm, bringing in Tenders to assist with a water supply. The incident had over 38 firefighters on the scene, 7 Engines, 4 Tenders, 3 Trucks, and 6 Chiefs from various agencies. The fire was brought under control within 60 minutes but crews remained on the scene performing extensive overhaul due to the building design and construction. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries on the scene. A police officer was treated and released on the scene for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Beecher Fire Protection District Fire Investigators.
Multiple agencies were on the scene and at our fire station to cover any additional calls for service during that time. These include Manhattan Fire Protection District, Crete Fire Department, Crete Township Fire Protection District, Grant Park Fire Protection District, Sauk Village Fire Department, South Chicago Heights Fire Department, Monee Fire Protection District, Lowell Fire Department, Park Forest Fire Department, Steger Fire Department, Matteson Fire Department, , Momence Fire Protection District, Manteno Fire Protection District, Dyer Fire Department, Lake Dalecarlia Fire Department, Thornton Fire Department, Glenwood Fire Department, Beecher Police Department, Beecher Emergency Management Agency and Beecher Public Works. |
