A three-alarm fire forced the evacuation Monday of the Illinois Youth Center-Warrenville in unincorporated Naperville, according to authorities.
The blaze broke out about noon in the kitchen of the 30 W. 200 Ferry Road co-ed residential facility, according to a statement from Dominique Newman, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, which operates the center. One staff person was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment from smoke inhalation, Newman said, and all other staff and youth were “safely evacuated.”
As of 2:30 p.m. Monday, multiple agencies were still dealing with the blaze, Warrenville Fire Protection District Fire Chief Andrew Dina said.
Dina called the fire “severe.” The kitchen sustained significant damage, Newman said.
The Ferry Road youth center opened in 1973 and is one of five youth secure facilities operated by juvenile justice department across the state.
According to its website, its residential capacity is 70. It’s not known how many youths were living there at the time of the fire.
“IYC-Warrenville serves juvenile female and male populations with multiservice needs,” website information said. “The center provides GED and high school diploma academic services, an in-patient substance abuse treatment program, vocational programs, mental health services, medical services, clinical services, leisure time activities, parenting education, assessments and family reunification programming.”
The center is working to relocate residents to available housing at other centers, Newman said.
“The safety of youth and staff is the highest priority of IDJJ,” she said in her statement. “More information will be shared as it becomes available.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.