Tree on power line causes fire in Northbrook, 6-12-16

A tree that fell in the 3000 block of Keystone in Northbrook on Sunday morning caused a major incident, knocking out power and breaking a gas line, which led to a fire that continued burning for hours. Emergency crews were initially called to the scene due to the fallen tree, but upon arrival, they discovered that the tree had also damaged power lines and a gas line, triggering a dangerous fire.

Captain Dave Crawford of the Northbrook Fire Department explained that it took three hours before the fire was finally brought under control. During that time, firefighters had to wait for Com-Ed to shut off the electricity before they could safely address the gas leak and extinguish the flames. The situation highlights the complex risks involved when infrastructure is compromised by natural events.

Photos from the scene show the intense fire and the damage caused by the fallen tree. These images, captured by local photographer Tim Olk, provide a vivid look at the aftermath of the incident. The area remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the tree falling and how the chain of events unfolded so quickly.