A house fire in Carpentersville on Sunday, March 30, 2025, claimed the lives of three young children. The fire began on the lower level of the home, and the cause remains under investigation.
Shortly after news of the fire broke, during a kids’ Kane County preparedness class, Kane County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Preparedness Specialist Beth Drendel spoke with a young participant who lived in the same neighborhood. The child mentioned that her home’s smoke detectors didn’t work. Her mother confirmed they were broken. Drendel immediately provided new smoke detectors from an OEM preparedness kit, ensuring the family had working detectors. She also coordinated with the Carpentersville Fire Chief, who offered assistance with installation.
Emergencies can happen at any time. To help families prepare, OEM offers free emergency preparedness classes for both kids and adults. These sessions cover essential topics such as building an emergency kit, first-aid basics, and evacuation planning. Designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, kids’ classes help children feel more confident during uncertain situations…