The New Trier Township office in Winnetka temporarily closed due to an electrical fire that broke out in a utility room last week.
Winnetka Fire Department personnel responded to an alarm at the building, 739 Elm St., March 28 at 3:46 a.m., according to Chief Alan Berkowsky.
Upon arrival, they discovered smoke coming from the building’s basement and located the fire in a corner of a utility room, Berkowsky noted.
“The fire was contained by a single sprinkler head, which held the fire in check,” Berkowsky said. “Once we powered the (electrical) grid down, we extinguished the fire. If it wasn’t for the sprinkler head and the fire alarm system doing what they were supposed to be doing, I think that building would have had significant fire damage.”
There were no injuries but a small number of residents who live in an apartment building to the east were evacuated for approximately an hour before being allowed to return to their homes, Berkowsky noted.
Berkowsky said personnel were at the scene for roughly three hours. He estimated the damage at approximately $25,000 and the cause remains under investigation.
Due to the fire, the township will be closed for an uncertain amount of time, according to New Trier Township Trustee Gail Eisenberg.
In the meantime, patrons of the township’s food pantry are encouraged to go the Northfield Township pantry at 2550 Waukegan Road in Glenview, Eisenberg said.
“We are grateful that no one was hurt and the quick action of the fire department,” Eisenberg added.
Other township services including financial assistance requests or referrals to other social service agencies will be served remotely, Eisenberg said. She said most of those services had already been provided remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter.
