Early Morning Fire Destroys the 2nd story of a 100-Year-Old Home

A pre-dawn fire destroyed the second story of a 100-year-old home today in the 1400 block of Cedar Road near Lenox Street. No one was home at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Twelve hours after the initial alarm, Mead said the investigation into the cause of the blaze continues. About 40 percent of the house—mostly the second story—is completely gone. However, the first floor could be repaired, he added.

Mead said the cause of the blaze is yet undetermined along with an estimate of the home's value. 

The fire department was notified of the blaze at 2:54 a.m.  

Home owner Daniel Poetzinger said he was at work, which is about 45 minute drive away, when the fire started. The burglar alarm went off at 2:43 a.m., but he didn't see the message until 4:45 a.m. after he had completed his shift and was walking to his car.

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Poetzinger said he had installed an alarm feature on the house. The fire tripped the alarm, and the alarm company notified the Will County Sheriff's Department.

Later, Poetzinger was told by officials on the scene that it took only 15 minutes for flames to completely engulf his two-story, frame house. 

As he neared his home, Poetzinger faced an army of fire responders who had traffic blocked off along long stretches on Cedar Road and Francis Road. The fire could be smelled for blocks around the house.

A resident of the home since 1973, Poetzinger said he had renovated the house over the years. A new brick addition was completed in 2005.

Standing under an easement at a nearby storage shed on the property, Poetzinger said fire department officials mentioned that a blaze could erupt again due to burning embers. However, as dark clouds overhead released a heavy rain, a supportive friend said maybe Mother Nature was doing her best to douse the potential for a secondary blaze. 

The 1.5-mile stretch between Francis Road and Route 6 was closed for several hours after the fire had been doused. Fire district officials spent the bulk of the day combing through debris for evidence that would lead to identifying the exact cause.

Firefighters from Manhattan and Homer Fire Protection Districts provided assistance. The Homer Fire Protection District dispatched its tanker truck, because that area is without hydrants, said Mead.

New Lenox Patch will continue to provide updated news about the blaze.

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