Fire officials say a clerk suffered smoke inhalation after a fire broke out inside a gas station near Grayslake early Wednesday morning.
The Grayslake Fire District responded around 4:44 a.m. Wednesday to the Shell, 33978 North Route 45 in unincorporated Grayslake, for a report of an appliance fire.
The incident was upgraded to a structure fire response after the 911 caller reported a refrigerator was on fire and spreading to the ceiling.
Grayslake Fire District Battalion Chief James Weidman said firefighters arrived to find flames visible inside the gas station.
Firefighters pulled a hose line and quickly extinguished the fire.
One employee was inside the store at the time of the fire, Weidman said.
The employee evacuated and was evaluated by paramedics for smoke inhalation but did not need to be transported to a hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but is believed to have originated in a refrigerator, Weidman said.
Approximately $10,000 in damage was reported. The Round Lake, Gumee and Libertyville fire departments assisted.
The Grayslake Fire District said they urge residents to check their smoke detectors at least twice a year and replace detectors after 10 years with ones that have a ten-year sealed battery.