As scorching temperatures in the high 90s continue to plague Oak Park for the second straight day, seven residents have been hospitalized and more than 200 lost power Wednesday.
The Oak Park Fire Department responded to seven calls on Tuesday and Wednesday of people suffering heat exhaustion, according to Chief Thomas Ebsen. All seven were transported to local hospitals suffering from noncritical symptoms.
No cases have been reported today, and Ebsen hopes it’s because people are responding cautiously to the heat.
“I think people are starting to take preventative measures and altering their routines a little bit,” he said.
Temperatures got hot enough yesterday afternoon to blow a fuse and knock out power for an area bordered by North Boulevard, Monroe Street, Marion Street and Des Plaines Avenue. Some 233 people were affected in Oak Park, along with an unspecified number in River Forest according to village hall, and ComEd restored power after a few hours.
River Forest Fire Chief James Eggert said they’ve received some calls related to the heat wave, though no reports of injuries.
“Most of it has all been pretty minor,” he said.
Firefighters have responded to four incidents of people getting stuck in elevators because of power outages the past few days, according to Ebsen. No fires have been reported, though one transformer blew, leaving a power line on top of a garage roof. All together this week, the fire department is averaging 20 more calls per day, which the chief attributes to the heat.
Ebsen urged residents to practice common sense during the heat wave — staying hydrated, waiting till the sun goes down to exercise outside, and keeping an eye on elderly neighbors.
Cooling centers are available at Rush Oak Park Hospital, West Suburban Medical Center, the Oak Park Township, and other public buildings such as libraries and village halls in both River Forest and Oak Park.