Glen Ellyn To Hold Meeting On Proposed Fire Alarm Requirement For Downtown Buildings
(CBS) -- The village of Glen Ellyn holds an informational meeting Thursday night to talk about a proposed requirement for all the buildings in its downtown business district, reports WBBM's Regine Schlesinger.
"We're trying to avoid any future loss of life," said Staci Hulseberg, planning and development director for the western suburb.
Hulseberg says last year, a man died in a fire in a downtown building.
"We have apartments above many of our downtown businesses and a fire was started in one of the apartments above a business on Duane Street."
So now, the village is considering an ordinance that would require each building owner to install an alarm system connected to the fire department. She says many owners are on board.
"They want to protect their own property and protect their businesses. We've also noticed that they can save money on their insurance as well. So all around, I think people are recognizing that it's an important thing to do."
It's still far from a done deal. If it does pass, the village is looking into helping the owners with up to $15,000 s of the cost.