Thursday, March 10, 2022  |   View in browser

Resident Dies in Residential House Fire in 1500 Block of Brummel Street

EVANSTON, IL - On Thursday, March 10, at approximately noon, Evanston firefighters responded to 1516 Brummel St. for reports of smoke coming from a residential structure.

Upon the arrival of first responding fire companies, heavy black smoke was coming from the basement of the single-family residence. First arriving crews encountered heavy fire conditions on the lower level of the structure. The response was quickly upgraded to a Box Alarm with fire conditions requiring three hose lines and neighboring fire department companies to assist with extinguishing the blaze. 

The property owners discovered the fire after arriving home to find smoke coming from their residence. Prior to the arrival of firefighters, one of the property owners, an 87-year-old male, entered the structure to investigate the source of the smoke. When firefighters arrived, they quickly found and extricated the man from the bottom of the basement stairs. Life-saving measures were initiated once extricated from the structure, with transport immediately provided to a local area hospital. The man was later pronounced dead at the hospital. 

Family notifications were made, with condolence care services offered by Evanston Fire Department Chaplain Monte Dillard and the American Red Cross representative, Hank Welch.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The 1500 block of Brummel Street was closed this afternoon to allow for the staging of fire vehicles and will be reopened once crews are finished with their investigation. Community members are asked to stay clear of the area until later this evening.

Smoke detectors were operational at the time of the fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least once or twice a year, unless the manufacturer suggests otherwise. If smoke or CO detectors activate, residents need to immediately leave or stay out of the building and call 911 to investigate.

For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.

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Media Relations: Division Chief Kimberly Kull
kkull@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-866-5922