UPDATED: Police Officer's Discovery of Grove Avenue Fire Likely Saved Home and Residents

UPDATED, 9:06 A.M., APR. 5: Western Springs police officer Terry Madler's timely discovery of a fire  helped to avoid signifigant danger to the home and residents at 3842 Grove Ave. on Sunday night, said Fire Department Deputy Chief Gary Mayor.

Officer Madler was patrolling Ogden Avenue when he smelled a strange odor from Grove Avenue and, upon investigating, found that the rear patio of the home was on fire and that the flames were beginning to break into the home through the windows.

“Had Officer Madler not found it when he did, I can’t tell you for sure, but I imagine another 10 minutes and there would have been significant fire in the house, which could have impeded the escape of the people inside," said Mayor.  “It was a good thing that he happened to be patrolling in that area, searched out the odor that he smelled and found it.”

The home was equipped with smoke detectors, but they had not gone off by the time the officer arrived. The residents of the home were asleep and were woken by Madler's knocking.

A resident at the house told Patch that they were "very grateful and very fortunate" for Madler's action. Deputy Chief of Police Brian Budds said that he has nominated Madler for a Lifesaving Award.

Deputy Chief Mayor said that several potential causes for the fire are under investigation.

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A house fire at 3842 Grove Ave. that began on Sunday night caused between $50,000 and $75,000 of damage, according to a Western Springs Fire Department press release.

The danger was discovered by police officer Terry Madler, who was patrolling on Ogden Avenue, at 11:49 p.m. He knocked on the door of the home and woke the four occupants, who were able to get to safety.

The fire began on a rear patio and was beginning to spread to the interior of the home when the Fire Department extinguished it. The Department was on the scene for approximately 90 minutes.

"Officer Madler's quick actions assisted in keeping this fire relatively small, but more importantly allowed the four occupants in the home to escape without injury," said the release.

The occupants of the home are able to remain in their house due to minimal structural damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. A neighbor said that some possible causes are lightning damage, a personal gas grill and/or a floodlight beneath the patio.