A family was left homeless after an extra-alarm fire left their house fully engulfed and a total loss in Fox River Grove, with firefighters encountering water supply issues Friday afternoon.
The Fox River Grove Fire Protection District responded around 4:34 p.m. Friday to the 100 block of Grove Avenue in Fox River Grove for a report of a structure fire.
The residents called 911 and escaped the home safely prior to the fire department arriving, according to Fox River Grove Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Eldee Jackson.
Jackson said fire crews arrived and found heavy smoke and flames coming from all sides of a single-family, two-story house.
Firefighters initiated a defensive attack on the fire by pulling hose lines and attempting to extinguish the fire from the outside.
Jackson said fire crews encountered low-pressure issues with the fire hydrants on the street, hampering the extinguishment of the blaze.
The city was reportedly set to replace the water main on the street this year to address the issue.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the third-alarm level for water tender trucks to the scene as crews established a rural water supply operation due to the faulty hydrants.
Approximately 13-14 fire departments responded to the scene to assist, Jackson said.
Firefighters used the master stream on an aerial ladder truck to flow water from above the home to aid in extinguishment.
The fire was extinguished by around 8 p.m. and firefighters remained on the scene conducting overhaul operations until 11 p.m.
Jackson said the roof of the house collapsed, causing it to take longer for firefighters to extinguish smoldering embers underneath it.
No injuries were reported to any occupants of the home or responding firefighters.
Jackson said the home was left uninhabitable and is a total loss. High winds were also reported to be a contributing factor in addition to the water supply issues.
The American Red Cross responded to assist the family who was displaced with alternative living arrangements and personal items.
The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation by the Fox River Grove Fire Protection District.