Walnut home a total loss after chimney fire

A Walnut home was a total loss Monday from fire after the chimney collapsed through the roof into the home, taking out the first floor.

Firefighters from several departments responded. All firefighters were accounted for and no one was injured, said Walnut Fire Chief Robert Miller. The residents were home at the time of the fire and escaped safely.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal concluded that the fire was accidental and started in the chimney that spread to the attic area.

Ohio, Manlius and Tampico fire departments were called at about 5:45 p.m. Firefighters arrived to a two-story home with flames coming from the chimney and smoke coming from the home. Initial crews began extinguishing flames inside the home, leading firefighters to call for a mayday after the collapse and increasing severity of the fire.

Because of the increasing size of the fire and the extreme cold weather, Miller upgraded to a fifth alarm.

Manlius, Yorktown, Tampico, Ohio, Princeton, Amboy, Sublette, Wyanet, Dixon Rural, Sterling, Rock Falls, Prophetstown, Mendota, CGH EMS, Arlington, Buda, La Moille, Bureau and Malden responded, as well as the American Red Cross, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, BuEComm and ComEd.

The Bureau County Emergency Management Agency deployed its warming trailer because of the cold temperatures. All departments and crews were on scene for 5 hours.