MORRISON, Ill. -- The Morrison Fire Department has joined in the chorus calling for ComEd to bury the power lines on Market Street.
In a letter last month, Fire Chief Joe Bielema said the lines have the potential to create "a very dangerous situation."
"A structure fire on the second or third story in any of the downtown businesses or apartments along Market Street could result in the loss of life or property," the chief said.
A person could be trapped, unable to escape down the stairs, with the only other option a window on the Market Street side, where wires are nearby. Or a firefighter attempting a rescue with a ladder may come into contact with the high-voltage lines because they're so close, he said.
"If a fire would occur in this area of downtown, the officer in charge would have to make the difficult decision to risk his firefighters' safety or wait for ComEd to arrive to shut the power off," Bielema said.
That would take away "precious" time needed for an elevated rescue and the effort to put out the fire, he said.
Bielema also cited an argument for burying the lines that other community leaders have advanced: It would improve the appearance of the downtown business area.
The city's Business Advisory Group has pushed for improvements to Market Street, which is one block south of Main Street. The utility poles are on the north side, which mostly contains the rear entrances to Main Street businesses.
At the group's meeting last week, its chairman, Bob Vaughn, said safety was an important consideration.
"Tear down those poles, Mr. ComEd," he said.
That was a twist on Ronald Reagan's famous 1987 quote, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," chiding the Soviet leader for the Berlin Wall.
Officials said the fire department's letter would be given to ComEd.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
