Faulty Com Ed power line causes structure fire

An impaired power line in La Grange sparked a fire Wednesday morning, causing structure damage to a garage and an estimated $8,850 in repair costs.

The La Grange Fire Department responded to 711 S. Ashland Ave. shortly before 8:30 a.m., according to Police Chief Donald Gay.

The power line, which had been reported as “sparking,” caused a fire in the rear of a garage located at 708 S. Madison Ave. Smoke and flames were visible at the scene and prompted Gay to call for the assistance of neighboring fire companies in Brookfield and Pleasantview.

While electric company Com Ed de-energized the faulty power line, firefighters worked to move and protect belongings in the affected garage. They were able to extinguish the fire when Com Ed had safely shut down the power line around 9:40 a.m.

The garage’s rear and side walls were damaged, according to the fire department, and the structure suffered minor smoke damage. The fix will require an estimated $8,000, while damage to a fence on Ashland Ave. is estimated at a more modest $850 figure.

No one was hurt in the fire. While the origin of the blaze was clearly the power line, according to the department, the cause is undetermined at this time.