2 police officers, firefighter treated after Orland Park fire

From staff reports

Two Orland Park police officers and one Orland Fire Protection District firefighter were injured last week night while responding to a house fire in the 8200 block of Legend Lane in Orland Park.

The police officers were treated for smoke inhalation and the firefighter suffered minor burns on April 26, Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield said. All were taken to the hospital for treatment and were later released.

“This is a reminder of the dangers all first responders face when responding to emergency calls to help out citizens,” Schofield said. “We are grateful that both police officers and our firefighter are doing well and did not suffer worse injuries. They risked their lives to ensure that the residents were safe and they do that every day and every time they respond to an emergency call.”

The homeowner, and neighbors, reported the fire at around 7:30 p.m., which began in the home’s utility room.

Orland Fire companies arrived on the scene and found heavy smoke and fire coming out of the front of the garage.

One of the homeowners reported that he couldn’t locate his wife and believed that she was still in the house. A search of the property was immediately conducted as fire teams attacked the source of the fire.

Fire companies with the help of the Orland Park Police Department were able to locate the wife who was outside of the house in the backyard of the residence.  She was uninjured, paramedics reported.

Multiple fire crews from the Orland Fire District arrived on the scene and assisted with fire control, search and rescue, and overhaul of the structure.

A full still alarm was called as well a box alarm to provide additional manpower and equipment to the scene and to backfill Orland stations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.

The Orland Fire District is being assisted with the investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal, MABAS 19 investigators, and Orland Fire District Origin and Cause Team. The home is currently uninhabitable, but homeowners were able to stay with family members.

Other departments providing coverage and manpower included Palos Fire, Palos Heights Fire, Tinley Park Fire, Crestwood Fire, Homer and Northwest Homer Fire, and North Palos Fire Districts.