AURORA — A fire caused at least $100,000 damage to a home once lived in by the William O’Neill family, three of whom were killed when a tow truck collided with their car July 4. The fire, at 16522 E. Villanova Place in Aurora, was reported at 11:56 a.m. Thursday.
When firefighters arrived, smoke and flames were visible from the roof of the tri-level home, said Capt. Mike Ackman of the Aurora Fire Department.
Ackman said the home was vacant and undergoing repairs for an impending sale. Twenty firefighters were dispatched to fight the blaze, which was brought under control at 12:14 p.m., he said.
No injuries were reported; investigators are attempting to determine the fire’s cause.
The residence was the home of William O’Neil, 40; his wife, Karen Joy O’Neil, 43; and their sons, Trevor O’Neil, 4, and Tyler O’Neil, 2. On July 4, a 2002 Ford F650 tow truck was traveling north on South Chambers Road when it collided with a 1997 Honda CR-V going in the same direction. It crossed the median, hit another car, then hit the O’Neils’ Chrysler. Only Tyler survived.
