Joliet fire caused by use of propane torch on frozen water pipes

A fire began in the basement of a Joliet residence Wednesday night when someone tried to thaw out frozen water pipes with a blow torch, according to the Joliet Fire Department.

Firefighters responded at 9 p.m. to a call of a possible fire in the Central District in the 600 block of Nicholson, according to a release from the fire department.

Within two minutes of the call, Company 5 arrived on the scene and reported smoke coming from the first floor and found the fire had originated in the basement, according to the release.

The fire was quickly extinguished before it extended throughout the residence and was under control within 20 minutes, according to the release.

“The occupants stated that they were using a small propane torch to thaw out frozen water pipes in the basement when the fire started,” the release stated.

One person was treated at the scene by Joliet paramedics and released, according to the release.

Earlier in the day, firefighters responded at 2:30 p.m. to a fire at a home in the 300 block of Third Avenue.

When crews arrived, they entered the home and found smoke on the second floor. The fire was extinguished before it extended to other parts of the house, according to the release.

The homeowner was soldering pipe and started the wall on fire, according to the release. The structure suffered water and smoke damage.

Occupants of the home were able to exit before firefighters arrived and no injuries were reported, according to the release.

The fire was declared under control within 15 minutes.