Fire Badly Damages Joliet-Area House

Fire officials say the blaze began when a breach in the home's chimney firewall allowed fire to spread into the walls and roof.

A Joliet-area family will be homeless for at least several weeks after a chimney fire spread through the walls and roof of their house Friday afternoon. The blaze at 1931 Heather Lane, just off Fiday Road near Essington, started at sometime before 3 p.m., according to Plainfeld Township Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton. A fire set in the home's fireplace is believed to have breached the chimney firewall and moved into the house's interior, he said. The father and son, who were home at the time, reported hearing crackling in the walls that grew louder when they went to the second floor, Stratton said. When they smelled smoke, they realized it was a fire and evacuated with the family dog, he said. Damage is estimated at $75,000 to $80,000, and…

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