Concerns raised over the storage of several drums of racing fuel in a resident’s garage are being resolved between La Grange officials and the homeowner.

However, it is still unclear how much, if any, if fuel is even being stored in the garage.

The Fire Department visited the home in the 700 block of Eleventh Avenue earlier this month after a neighbor reported seeing the drums marked racing fuel in a garage. Officials inserted a probe through a partially opened garage door to determine the level of fumes that may have collected inside the structure after first knocking on the door to contact the homeowner. No one answered at the time.

No fumes were detected in the garage or around the structure, fire officials said. A large racing-style boat was parked on the premises.

As prescribed by National Fire Prevention Code, no more than 25 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids can be stores in approved containers at a residential location. While officials said the village painstakingly researched codes to determine which best applied, no one from the village has yet actually entered the garage to see how much fuel is being stored.

Assistant Village Manager Andrianna Peterson said the village has communicated with the homeowner, who has already removed the boat.

“He has shown a willingness to work with us to resolve the issue,” Peterson said. “Some of the issues were immediately resolved. Obviously the homeowner is taking it seriously.”

Suburban Life Newspapers took the village to task in an Oct. 14 editorial criticizing officials for not obtaining a search warrant before entering the residents property. Village Attorney Mark Burkland said a warrant was absolutely not required, despite the editorial’s assertion.

“Under these emergency circumstances, no search warrant is required,” Burkland said. “The complaint indicated the possibility of an immediate threat to the public safety.”

In terms of fire safety, there are numerous codes on the federal, state and local level that need to be reviewed in order to determine which best fits the circumstances, Peterson said.

“Any complaints the village receives are diligently evaluated and investigated,” she said. “If it is determined that a violation of village codes exists, the village works with the homeowner to gain compliance. Obviously we need to make sure we are applying the correct code.”