Web Extra!
A fire that destroyed a shed and damaged two garages on the south end of Riverside was accidental, according to police and fire officials who responded to the scene just before 2 p.m. today.
Multiple 911 calls reported a column of black smoke rising from behind a home on Lafayette Road, a secluded street just north of Ogden Avenue and east of Miller Road. Firefighters found the shed on fire, with flames spreading to two garages and a nearby utility pole.
Assistant Fire Chief John Buckley said the fire was under control in 15 minutes, but that crews were on the scene and Lionel Road between Delaplaine and Miller was closed to traffic until about 3:40 p.m.
Also responding to the call were firefighters from Lyons, Brookfield, North Riverside Forest View and Pleasantview.
The shed’s metal roof buckled in the heat of the flames and the framing was charred. Firefighters continued to hose down the utility pole and garages for some time to make sure all hot spots were doused. No one was injured. Riverside Detective Sgt. David Krull said police had concluded their investigation, dubbing the fire accidental. Buckley said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, adding, “It doesn’t appear to be anything malicious.”