On Monday, September 15, at approximately 9:41 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Protection District (MFPD) was dispatched to the 400 block of W. Corning Avenue in Peotone for a reported fire in a two-story residential home.
The first units arrived on scene within five minutes of the initial call for service. Fire crews reported heavy smoke and flames showing from the first floor, with extension to the attic. The caller advised all occupants were out of the home, but three dogs were still inside. A full still alarm was activated for additional personnel and equipment.
Firefighters quickly established water supply and immediately began fire attack on the building, as well as rescue efforts for the three dogs trapped on the first and second floor. Due to the complex construction of the building, the fire was upgraded to a box alarm. The fire was contained within 20 minutes and extinguished in 40 minutes.
All occupants safely evacuated the building, and no injuries were reported by civilians or firefighters. Tragically, despite every effort, the three dogs did not survive the fire.
The cause of the fire currently is under investigation by Manhattan Fire Protection District Investigators and the MABAS 19 Fire Investigators.
Multiple agencies were on the scene and at the Manhattan Fire Stations to cover any additional calls for service during that time, including those from the following fire protection districts: Frankfort, New Lenox, Matteson, Monee, Beecher, Manteno, East Joliet, Mokena, Orland, Wilmington, Aroma Park, Crete Township, and University Park.