Early morning fire destroys home

MT MORRIS – A home in the Mt. Morris Estates Mobile Home Park was destroyed by an early morning fire on Wednesday, sending one resident to an area hospital for treatment.

Mt. Morris Fire Chief Rob Hough said the Ogle County 911 center received multiple calls at 2:07 a.m. reporting the fire at lot #99, 3747 W. state Route 64, on the east side of Mt. Morris.

“Mt. Morris Fire was dispatched to the scene, along with AutoAid Companies from Leaf River, Oregon and Polo. Mt. Morris Fire arrived on scene and found an approximately 14′ x 70′ mobile home with heavy visible fire throughout, with structural collapse,” Hough said in a press release.

Due to intense flames and exposure to the west of the home, another mobile home caught fire, he said.

“Reports from dispatch and neighbors were that all the residents had self-evacuated and were accounted for,” Hough said. “Mt. Morris fire companies attacked the rapidly growing fire while simultaneously requesting a second alarm assignment.”

Hough said both occupants were treated by Mt. Morris Fire EMS for smoke inhalation. One occupant was transported to KSB Hospital and later transferred to OSF St. Anthony’s in Rockford. The other was treated on the scene and refused transport.

No firefighters were injured, he said.

The fire was declared under control at 2:54 a.m., with most mutual aid companies released by 4:30 am. Mt. Morris firefighters cleared the scene at 4:53 am.

“The structure is uninhabitable and is deemed a total loss,” Hough said. “Initial damage estimates to the building are $40,000. This estimate is including any of the residents’ personal contents.”

Mt. Morris Fire did request a MABAS Box 14 to the second alarm level for additional assistance from Advanced Ambulance of Dixon, Byron Fire, Dixon Rural Fire, Forreston Fire, German Valley Ambulance, Leaf River Fire, Oregon Fire, Polo Fire, and Stillman Fire.

The Mt. Morris Fire Department along with the State Fire Marshal and Ogle County Sheriff are investigating. The investigation is still ongoing, Hough said.