At approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2018 the Wheaton Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 600 block of Franklin Street. Upon arrival, fire crews identified heavy fire on the exterior of the chimney for a single-family residence with the fire extending to the interior. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes. All occupants safely escaped the building and the incident did not result in any injuries.
Investigators from the Wheaton Fire Department conducted a fire investigation. The cause of the fire is deemed accidental and appears to have been associated with the fireplace. The fire caused extensive exterior and interior damage. The fire loss estimate is unavailable at this time.
The Wheaton Fire Department was also assisted on the scene by the Wheaton Police Department and several fire departments from neighboring communities. The building was posted as unsafe for occupancy, and it was turned back over to the property owner after the fire.