Geneva Police Help 2 People Flee Highbury Lane Fire

Geneva police officers led two residents from a burning house on Highbury Lane at 3 a.m. Sunday.

A resident called 911 reporting a building fire east of his location in the 400 block of Brittany Court. After a diligent search, Geneva police officers determined the correct address of the fire on Highbury Lane. After arriving, Geneva firefighters found the home’s roof to be burning with the flames being fanned by steady and strong winds, according to a release from the fire department.

Geneva police officers woke up two residents who were unaware of the fire and escorted them from the home prior to the Fire Department attempting to extinguish the blaze. The fire was contained to the attic and roof with limited smoke and water damage to the second floor of the residence. As a precaution, firefighters spread protective covers over the home’s furnishings.

The Fire Department’s investigation indicates heat from an electrical failure in an attic ventilator or fan ignited the wood roof sheeting and shingles. Preliminary damage estimates have been set at $50,000.

The Fire Department did request Public Works to respond with road salt since water had spilled on to the pavement causing slick conditions. Given the tight space with emergency vehicles, firefighters hand-shoveled salt across the width of the street.