Home Near Martinez Middle School Damaged by Fire

A home in the 700 block of Newland Avenue near the A. Vito Martinez Middle School in Romeoville was damaged by smoke and fire Thursday morning.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Flaherty said all members of the family – including their pet Chihuahua, exited the home without injury. The homeowners called 911 at 8:54 a.m. after smelling smoke and seeing flames in the stairwell of the home’s lower level, Flaherty said.

Firefighters determined a problem with the electrical system caused electricity to arc, igniting a fire in the finished lower level of the raised-ranch home.

Romeoville firefighters extinguished the flames and cleared smoke from the home.

ComEd was called in to shut off electrical service and determine what may have caused electricity to arc and start the fire, Flaherty said.

The assistant chief estimated the home sustained about $25,000 in damage.

Flaherty said crews from Lockport, Lemont, Plainfield and Northwest Homer were called in to assist, as while firefighters were on the call at Newland, Romeoville received several other minor calls.