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           At approximately 2:15 am on February 23, 2025, on-duty firefighters stationed at firehouse # 1, observed a plume of dense black smoke, filling the skyline just north of the fifth avenue Metra Station. As fire crews arrived at the former site of the Maywood Appliance Store located at 10 N 5 th avenue, the second floor of the building was found to be completely engulfed by flames. Chief Craig Bronaugh of the Maywood Fire Department stated that due to both intensity and consuming nature of the fire, soon after their initial survey of the site was completed the first floor of the building immediately became impassable. At which time a massive multi-directional aerial approach was initiated in an attempt to gain control over the fire. In order to successfully extinguish the fire, additional firefighters from seven neighboring communities were called in to assist local firefighters. As daybreak approached the fire was eventually put out . During a final site evaluation, it was confirmed that no injuries nor fatalities had been reported. Chief Bronaugh attributed the lack of casualties to the fact that the building  appeared to have been completely vacant.  

                 Following the closure of the Maywood Appliance store back in 2019, the occupancy status of that building was somewhat unknown. However, just prior to the closure of the store its’ owner had informed me of his plans to relocate his business to Brookfield. He subsequently confided in me, that reason for his departure from Maywood was due to unrelenting increases in his property taxes year after year. Currently Cook County property tax records show that the property taxes for the building were being paid up until 2023. However, property tax records for 2024-2025 are now listed as inaccessible via the Cook County Assessor’s website.