Fire at Townhomes Near Hinsdale Central Extinguished

Firefighters responded to a structure fire at a townhome in the 5700 block of South Park Avenue in Hinsdale lat Tuesday night, successfully extinguishing it after it caused about $50,000 in damage, according to a release from the Hinsdale Fire Department. 

At approximately 10:24 p.m., the Hinsdale Fire Department received a call on its non-emergency line reporting smoke on the block. On the way to Park, the department received additional calls reporting a structure fire. After arriving on to the scene, Hinsdale firefighters upgraded the response to a still alarm, bringing additional fire crews from Clarendon Hills, Pleasantview Fire Protection District, Western Springs, Oak Brook, and Willow Springs.

Hinsdale Fire Department Chief Rick Ronovsky elevated the incident to a box alarm upon his arrival, which brought more fire crews from Westmont, LaGrange, Oak Brook Terrace, Downers Grove, LaGrange Park, McCook and Tri-State Fire Protection District.

Hinsdale fire crews quickly evacuated all the residents in the townhomes that stretch the entire block near Hinsdale Central High School. 

"Captain Dave DeWolf reported heavy black smoke coming from the 5706 S. Park Ave. residence and quickly deployed multiple hose lines to extinguish the fire, which was burning in multiple locations," the fire department release states.  

The fire was under control minutes after the Hinsdale responders arrived. The additional crews assisted with fire suppression, overhaul, salvage and investigations.

"It appears that the fire started underneath the fireplace at 5706 S. Park Ave.," the release states "The fire then traveled into the crawlspace, along the floor boards and into the interior wall space." 

The townhome at 5706 S. Park Ave. is uninhabitable. Total damage to the block is estimated at $50,000. Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, however, it does not appear suspicious in nature.