May 01--A large fire severely damaged a three-story apartment building in Woodridge on Thursday, but no injuries were reported, according to fire officials.
The wood-frame, brick veneer building at 7723 Woodward Ave. caught fire around 11:14 a.m., Darien-Woodridge Fire District Chief David Lambright said. The fire apparently was ignited from a grill on a second-floor rear balcony, Lambright said.
"As far as I know, it was accidental," Lambright said.
Most residents of the 12-unit building were not home when the fire started but Darien Police officers evacuated two people before fire crews arrived, Lambright said.
The fire spread quickly because of high winds and the roof collapsed before crews struck out the flames at 2:15 p.m., Lambright said.
"It was a lightweight, truss roof, and they don't hold up under fire conditions at all," Lambright said.
The building is "completely uninhabitable," Lambright said, as all 12 units suffered smoke, fire and water damage. About 25 to 30 residents were displaced and are being assisted by American Red Cross crews to find temporary accommodations. The building was so badly damaged that residents were not allowed back inside to retrieve belongings, Lambright said.
"I've instructed police not to let anyone inside for their own safety," Lambright said.
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