On March 6, 2006, at approximately 1:30 am, a Will County, Illinois Sheriff's Deputy was notified by a passerby that a home was on fire in the area of 143rd & Bell Road.
Upon further investigation, the deputy found a home well involved in fire at 14312 Weltzer Ct. in Homer Glen. The Northwest Homer Fire Protection District was toned out for a working structure fire.
Upon arrival of Northwest Homer Fire Engine 1721, they found a 2- story split level home that was unoccupied, fully involved in fire.
Deputy Chief Ken Vrbal ordered all crews into defensive mode due to the volume of fire auto aid that responded to the scene was Homer Truck 31, which set up for ladder pipe operations, the Lemont Fire District assisted with an engine crew.
Several other departments provided station coverage for units on the scene after a full still was requested for station coverage.
The Illinois State Fire Marshall and the MABAS Div 19 Fire Investigation Team is currently investigating this fire, along with several other suspicious fires that have occured in vacant buildings in Homer Township & nearby Lockport Township.
