Evanston, IL – Firefighters responded early Monday morning to a large house fire on Hartzel Avenue that severely damaged a single-family home.
Upon arrival at the 2300 block of Hartzel around 2:30 a.m., crews found heavy flames engulfing all three floors of the home. Command quickly upgraded the response, utilizing the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to bring in additional firefighters from neighboring communities, including Chicago.
According to the Evanston Fire Department, hazardous conditions required a shift to a defensive strategy before the fire was brought under control. The family was away on vacation, and no civilian injuries were reported. One firefighter suffered a minor injury during the operation.
The Red Cross and a CTA bus provided warmth and refreshments to crews battling the fire in freezing conditions. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.
Residents are encouraged to review home fire safety protocols during colder months.
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