BROOKFIELD, Ill. --
At least six people have been displaced after a smoky extra-alarm fire in a townhouse complex in west suburban Brookfield on Friday.
Fire crews responded about 9:01 a.m. to the complex at 3728 Forest Ave., according to Brookfield firefighter Fred Moore. More than 12 neighboring fire departments assisted with the 2-11 alarm blaze that apparently started in the first floor garage of a three-story townhouse.
Firefighters had to battle the fire defensively because the fire burned through the ceiling, causing the second-floor to collapse, according to Brookfield Chief Patrick Lenzie. A witness reported thick black smoke billowing from the complex, a cluster of town homes including a six-story and a two-story building.
The fire was under control, with final searches and clean-up being conducted as of 10:15 a.m., Moore said.
The townhouse where the fire started was totally destroyed and two neighboring townhouses sustained significant damage. All three townhouses were deemed uninhabitable, leaving at least six people displaced, Lenzie said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but does not appear to be suspicious, Lenzie said.
Copyright 2007, Chicago Sun-Times Inc.
