House Catches Fire in Eldridge

CREWS BATTLED A FIRE THAT STARTED IN A GARAGE AND SPREAD INTO THE HOME LEAVING IT WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.  TUESDAY AROUND 8:54 P.M., ELDRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE CO. INC. RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A FIRE IN THE 700 BLOCK OF ST. ANDREW CIRCLE, ACCORDING TO A MEDIA RELEASE FROM CHIEF KEITH SCHNECKLOTH. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE FIRE TOOK APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS FOR CREWS TO CLEAR THE SCENE.  WHEN CREWS ARRIVED, THEY SAID THEY SAW A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME WITH HEAVY FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ATTACHED PORTION OF THE GARAGE. THOSE FLAMES SPREAD TO PARTS OF THE HOME.  CREWS BEGAN TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH THE HELP OF THE LONG GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.  ONCE A MAJORITY OF THE FIRE WAS UNDER CONTROL, CREWS THEN MOVED TO THE INSIDE TO WORK ON EXTINGUISHING HOT SPOTS, OFFICIALS SAID. THE ENTIRE HOME SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE.  ELDRIDGE ENGINE 1, ELDRIDGE TOWER 11, ELDRIDGE SQUAD 3, AND ELDRIDGE ENGINE 2 WERE ALL ON SCENE.  ASSISTING AGENCIES INCLUDED: SCOTT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER (SECC), LONG GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, ELDRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, MEDIC EMS OF SCOTT COUNTY, ELDRIDGE ELECTRIC & WATER UTILITIES, MIDAMERICAN ENERGY & AMERICAN RED CROSS.  THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.