JOLIET, IL — A devastating early morning fire at a three-story apartment complex in Joliet left seven people injured and 26 residents displaced, according to city fire officials. The blaze occurred on Tuesday at 115 Essington Road, prompting a swift response from firefighters and neighbors alike.
One of the most harrowing moments caught on video shows a young family — two parents and their 3-year-old child — stranded on a third-story balcony as smoke billowed from the building. Battalion Chief Dan Berta, the first to arrive at the scene, had just returned from responding to a traffic accident on Interstate 80 when the fire call came in.
“I saw the parents and the child stuck on the balcony. One of the adults had already tried to jump,” Berta said.
Man Falls Trying to Escape, Rescued Family Makes It Down Safely
A maintenance worker at the complex quickly grabbed a ladder from a nearby shed and helped Berta reach the trapped family. By then, the adult male had already fallen from the balcony, injuring his knee. He was later treated at St. Joseph Hospital.
Berta helped the mother and child descend safely via ladder. Neither required further medical treatment. The man was the only one transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening injury.
Firefighters Battle Attic Blaze, 15 People Inside at Time of Fire
As additional fire units arrived, they were met with intense flames pouring from the upper units and attic space of the garden-style apartment. Crews were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to neighboring buildings.
Officials later confirmed that approximately 15 residents were inside the complex when the fire started — all of whom were able to evacuate without assistance.
“It could have been a lot worse,” one official said. “The fact that everyone made it out alive is remarkable.”
Cause Identified: Unattended Cooking Blamed for Fire
Investigators determined that unattended cooking was the likely cause of the fire. This is one of the leading causes of residential fires nationwide, especially during morning meal preparation times.
In total, seven residents suffered minor injuries and were treated on site. All residents from the building have since been relocated as the structure is deemed temporarily uninhabitable.
Community Support and Next Steps
Local community organizations and emergency shelters are now stepping in to assist the displaced families. Several have already received temporary housing through city-coordinated programs.
The Joliet Fire Department is urging residents to double-check fire alarms and review fire safety protocols — especially around cooking areas.
Were you affected by this fire or have information to share about the emergency response? Let us know your experience in the comments or contact ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
