2009 Year in Review

Four Fire Departments Respond to House Fire

Back side where the fire began

Kitchen area of the house

Robert Muschal stands back as firefighters try to save the house.

The Centennial Farm sign with a fire hose draped over it.

Morrison Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 19663 Lake Road, Morrison, at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2009. Upon arrival firefighters found the backside of the residence fully involved.

A Division 30 Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (M.A.B.A.S.) was activated. Fulton, Coleta and Lyndon Fire Departments were called to the scene with tankers and personnel.

Smoke detectors in the house had alerted the resident, Robert Muschal, of the fire. Muschal escaped unharmed. Fire personnel were on the scene until approximately 4:20 p.m. The residence was considered a total loss.

Morrison Fire Department was again summoned to the Lake Road address as a re-kindle was reported at approximately 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 17. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoldering embers in an upstairs room. At that time, a mattress was removed from the structure. The area was saturated with water, with no additional damage.

The farm is listed in the Illinois Centennial Farms Program. The program was established to honor the generations of farmers who have worked to maintain a family farm in Illinois. To be classified as a Centennial Farm, descendants of the original owner must have owned the agricultural property for at least 100 years.

The Janvrin farm was originally 25 acres, purchased on November 26, 1852, by George Janvrin. Elmer Janvrin bought the farm from his father on January 1, 1916, and sold it to his son, Clyde, and wife, Merna, on February 28, 1967. Upon Clyde’s death on May 20, 1970, Merna took over ownership. The historic farm has grown to 145 acres and is owned by Clyde and Merna’s heirs.

It was determined the accidental fire was caused by burning debris.

by Dawn Zuidema, theCity1.com
April 20, 2009