An extra-alarm fire at a 10,000-square-foot home in Lakemoor on Friday is believed to have been started by a lawnmower, police said.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 1:25 p.m. Friday to the 2200 block of Cuhlman Road in Lakemoor for a report of a structure fire.
McHenry Township Fire Protection District David Harwood said crews arrived to find a “very large” three-story house with flames showing.
The fire engulfed the home’s attached garage and the blaze extended up the wood shaker shingle roof and into the third floor.
Firefighters began extinguishing the fire and simultaneously searching the 10,000-square-foot residence for occupants, Harwood said.
It was later determined that all occupants had exited safely.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated and elevated to the third alarm level.
Harwood said the fire was difficult to extinguish because of the size of the residence and the heat and humidity.
The area also has no fire hydrants so firefighters had to haul in water using tender fire trucks.
The Lakemoor Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Johnsburg Police Department closed Cuhlman Road during the fire.
27 fire departments responded to the scene and assisted in covering calls in McHenry during the incident.
One firefighter was evaluated by paramedics for heat exhaustion but did not need to be transported, Harwood said. There were no other injuries.
The house was deemed uninhabitable and a damage estimate was not immediately available.
A preliminary investigation indicates a lawnmower started the fire, Lakemoor Police Officer Kevin Lyons said.
Cuhlman Road was closed for several hours until 5:45 p.m. Friday. The incident remains under investigation.