Friday House Fire Displaces Two Residents in St. Charles

The was one of three nearby crews on Friday that assisted St. Charles firefighters with a blaze on that city's west side.

Assistant Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet said firefighters were called out at 8:01 p.m. to a two-story home at 21 N. 12th St. Firemen found flames visible from a first-floor window at the scene.

Schelstreet said firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes, but units stayed on the scene until 9:55 p.m., checking for fire extension and performing the investigation. The cause of the fire, he said, was accidental and determined to be discarded smoking materials.

According to Schelstreet, one of the two occupants was in the basement at the time of the fire but exited safely. A neighbor alerted him to the fire by knocking on the door. They both called 911.

There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters, he said.

The department estimated the loss at $50,000. The home is uninhabitable and the Red Cross will be working with the occupants.

In addition to Batavia, the was assisted by the Geneva and South Elgin fire crews.