Will County woman’s home of 67 years destroyed by fire

Ann Loitz in Beecher is lucky to be alive after a mid-December fire destroyed her single-story home.

Loitz, 93, has lived in her house for 67 years. She’s been a Beecher resident even longer, having lived in the Will County village for 72 years.

The house fire happened at 2:57 p.m. Dec. 12. Fortunately, Loitz wasn’t home at the time of the fire. She was at a dentist appointment.

The Beecher Fire Protection District along with surrounding departments responded to the structure fire at 1220 S. Dixie Highway.

Within five minutes of the call, crews arrived at the house. Heavy fire was coming from Loitz’s home.

The initial fire company began an aggressive interior attack of the fire and searched for any occupants. A total of 38 firefighters were at the scene, including seven engines, four tenders (water trucks), three trucks and six fire chiefs from different agencies.

The fire was brought under control within 60 minutes. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire still is being investigated, Beecher Fire Chief Joseph Falaschetti said.

The fire departments at the scene encountered a significant delay in establishing a positive water supply because of four inoperable fire hydrants along Dixie Highway between Church Road and Chestnut Lane, according to a news release.

Falaschetti could not comment on why the hydrants weren’t working.

He said the village of Beecher was looking into the reason why the fire hydrants weren’t working.

Village of Beecher Administrator Charity Mitchell said that with the cold temperatures that day and the addition of a wind chill, it would have an effect on the hydrants.

Although nearby hydrants were not working, there was one fire hydrant across the street that firefighters used to get water, Mitchell said.

“They had steady water the entire time from the tanker, from my understanding,” Mitchell said.

Family and support

Born in Naperville, Loitz grew up with 11 siblings. Loitz worked at Woldhuis Farms Sunrise Greenhouse in Grant Park for 28 years.

Loitz raised her four children alongside her husband, Dale, in the house that was destroyed. She has two sons, Larry and Richard, and twin daughters, Debra and Diane. Her husband died in August 2012.

Right now, Loitz is staying with her daughter, Debra, and her family after being displaced by the fire.

The day of the fire, one of the coldest days of the year, Debra insisted that her mother attend her dentist appointment, driving her there that day. Ann found out shortly after her arrival, while in the dentist chair, about the fire burning down her house.

Richard Loitz recalled seeing two-thirds of the house burned down by the time he got there. He saw flames coming up from the back of the house.

Throughout everything, her family has been there for her.

“If it wasn’t for my kids, I don’t know what I would do,” Ann Loitz said, trying to hold back tears. “Thank God I wasn’t home. I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

Words of advice

For anyone who experiences a house fire, Ann Loitz has some words of advice.

“If there’s a fire, don’t try to go back in. Just save yourself,” she said. “That’s the most important thing. Other things mean a lot, but they always can be replaced.”

She also suggests making copies of everything and to take pictures in every room of the house, including the bathroom, inside drawers, the garage and entrances to the home. Then, it’s important to put the pictures in a safe place.

During this time close to the holidays, having a fire is even harder, and it hurts, Ann Loitz said. She had plans to celebrate Christmas at her daughter’s house along with her family.

“Don’t take anything for granted,” she said. “The little things mean the most. The best thing is God and your family, and that’s all you need. I’ve got my family, and I’m thankful for that.”

To help Ann, donations can be made at Midland States Bank at 951 Dixie Highway in Beecher or by bringing a check to any Midland branch with “Ann Loitz” in the memo line. You also can donate to the GoFundMe page titled “Bring some cheer to Ann Loitz This Christmas” at gofundme.com/f/bring-hope-to-ann-loitz-this-christmas.