Fire At Historic Evanston Building Displaces 14 People

A fire at 1301 Judson Ave., Evanston, displaced approximately 14 people Wednesday afternoon, according to Evanston Fire Division Chief Dwight Hohl.

Firefighters received a 9-1-1 call about a fire in the three-story house, which has four apartment units, around 2:30 p.m., Hohl said. No one was injured, although firefighters initially believed there might be a victim on the third floor, according to Hohl.

In addition to Evanston firefighters, companies from eight different municipalities responded to the blaze, including Skokie, Morton Grove, Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, Park Ridge, Glenview and Niles.

Hohl said the fire appeared to have started in the third floor of the building. A neighbor standing near the home said she had seen flames leaping from the roof of the building.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by about 3:45 p.m., according to Hohl. Many of the building's windows appeared to have been knocked out. 

"From my observation, I would assume there's probably been substantial damage to the structure," Hohl said.

The fire department is still investigating the cause of the blaze, according to Hohl.

Jim Ticus, owner of 1301 Judson Ave., told Patch the building is a historic landmark that dates to the 1880s.

"It's the oldest apartment building in Evanston," he said. 

The building is constructed of stone, brick and cedar shingles, and was written up in a book about Evanston history, he said.

Get Niles and Morton Grove news in a free daily email from Patch.com

Updated at 3:52 p.m.

Resident Tim Baron told Patch that he was home at the time of the fire and only found out about it when a neighbor knocked on his door.

"I wasn't aware of the fire until somebody came to my door," Baron said.

Baron says he has fire alarms in his apartment but didn't hear them until he left the house.

His two dogs and a cat were safe with him but his other pet, Mud, a black and white cat, was still missing Wednesday afternoon.

The freelance photographer was working in the basement when the fire broke out and said he didn't know if his equipment was okay. 
Original StoryAccording to an Evanston city official a fire at 1301 Judson Avenue started around 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 5.

It appears that firefighters have broken some windows at the three-story house.

The city official told Patch that the street will be blocked off for at least two hours between Judson Avenue and one block east. 

Multiple jurisdictions are on scene and Evanston Fire Department spokesperson is expected to give an update around 4 p.m.

Patch will be updating the article as soon as we get more information.

Don't Miss a Thing! Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook