Wonder Lake family whose house burned thanks residents who donated, firefighters who contained blaze

As Wonder Lake Fire Protection District Chief Mike Weber walked through a house severely damaged by fire Sunday, he and the homeowners noticed eyes looking at them from behind a couch.

One of the Ridout family’s two cats, which they were unable to find when they first evacuated about 1:25 p.m. Sunday, was safe.

The home on Shady Lane on the west side of Wonder Lake sustained an estimated $85,000 in structural damage in the blaze. While the fire’s cause is still under investigation, it is believed to have started in the home’s attached four-season room, Weber said.

The fire destroyed the four-season room, the primary bedroom, a laundry room and a portion of the roof, Weber said, adding the damage appeared repairable.

The American Red Cross aided the homeowners, Kerry and Jennifer Ridout, their 9-year-old child, dog and two cats as they found temporary housing, and neighbors are stepping up to help with household items and clothing either lost or left with smoke damage.

“Before I got back to the firehouse, there was food, cat litter and food, cash and clothes at Station 1″ donated by residents to help the family, Weber said.

They are staying with family in Johnsburg, Jennnifer Ridout said, and hope to get back into the house they moved to in 2013 quickly.

“It has been a lifesaver,” she said of the help from the Wonder Lake community.

A neighbor, Nicolle Turner, started a Fire Replacement List on Amazon.com on Monday morning to aid in replacing clothing and other household goods. In less than two hours, all of those items had been purchased.

“The whole thing was bought,” Turner said. She added more to the list to ensure the family got everything they need.

Turner knows what they may need from experience. A malfunctioning tea kettle burned up her kitchen island last year. While she was able to put the fire out using a canister of flour, the smoke damage mean many things in the home needed replacing.

“I got super lucky with my situation” as the fire was found quickly and contained – and she had help from friends to replace things she lost, Turner said.

On Monday, another friend set up a GoFundMe to also help with expenses, Help the Ridout Family Rebuild After Fire.

While the fire extensively damaged the house, most of that damage was contained to the back of the one-story house and attic, Weber said. Firefighters were able to knock down the blaze in about 15 minutes, and remained on scene until 4:30 p.m. attacking hot spots.

“My crews did an awesome job,” Turner said, as the front half of the home was largely undamaged.

Ridout agreed. Because doors between the damaged and undamaged parts of the house were kept closed, it helped to prevent wider smoke and water damage.

“We have enough still standing ... to demolish in the back” only, she said.

The call brought mutual aid from the Hebron-Alden-Greenwood, Richmond Township, Spring Grove, McHenry Township and Woodstock fire protection districts. She thanked them and Wonder Lake firefighters for their help.

“There were so many who came out and they saved our house. We will be able to live in the parts we can until all of the repairs can be made,” she said.