A house in Crystal Lake was deemed uninhabitable after flames engulfed an attached garage and destroyed two cars Thursday afternoon, fire officials said.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded to a report of a structure fire around 3:19 p.m. Thursday in the 5700 block of Briarwood Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake.
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department Chief Paul DeRaedt said two people were inside the home at the time.
Both residents were able to escape prior to the fire department’s arrival.
Firefighters arrived in six minutes and found an attached garage that was fully engulfed in flames and was spreading to the house.
DeRaedt said fire crews made an aggressive attack and stopped the spread of the fire from progressing further into the single-family home.
A request for mutual aid through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was initiated.
The fire was declared under control about 45 minutes later just after 4 p.m.
The garage, which contained two vehicles, was a total loss, DeRaedt said.
The home sustained heat, water and smoke damage. It has been declared uninhabitable until repairs can be made.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation, DeRaedt said.
There were no injuries to any firefighters or civilians.
The American Red Cross is assisting the occupants with shelter and other needs.
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue was assisted by several area fire departments along with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
Fire investigators from Crystal Lake and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation.
DeRaedt said damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $200,000.