Crystal Lake fire destroys sober-living home

A two-story nonprofit sober-living home in downtown Crystal Lake is considered completely destroyed from a fire that broke out Tuesday evening, the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department reported.

The department responded to a call at 11:50 p.m. to the 200 block of Second Street for a structure fire. First responders arrived at the scene within three minutes to “heavy fire conditions” throughout a two-story home, according to a news release from the department.

[ Sober-living home tries to pick up the pieces after devastating fire ]

All eight occupants of the home escaped without injury and were relocated with help from The Salvation Army. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported, according to the release.

The building was home to the nonprofit sober-living Last Chance House. New Directions Addiction Recovery Services currently is helping the nonprofit get housing for its residents, Executive Director Bobby Gattone said.

He described the fire as “a tragedy” and Last Chance House as a close partner.

Last Chance House is a residential facility that has helped about 1,000 men with alcoholism recover to sobriety since 2006, President John Danley said. To donate to the group’s efforts, visit its website at lastchancehouse.org.

The home is considered uninhabitable after sustaining “heavy fire damage” and a “partial collapse,” according to the release.

Firefighters were able to control the fire in about an hour and continued to extinguish “hidden fires for several hours,” according to the release.

Power, gas and water were disconnected to the home during the fire.

Crew members used a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System to request assistance from neighboring fire departments and several responded, according to the release. The fire currently is under investigation, the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department said.