Residents were displaced after a fire engulfed the rear of a house near Woodstock, prompting over a dozen fire departments to respond to the three-alarm fire.
The Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts responded around 6:48 p.m. Wednesday to the 2000 block of Maritime Lane in unincorporated Woodstock for a report of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived on the scene in 10 minutes and found flames showing from the rear of the home.
Marengo Fire and Rescue Districts Communication Specialist Alex Vucha said crews quickly stretched a hose line to the backyard and began extinguishing the fire.
The fire was called in to 911 by the residents, who were home at the time.
The incident was upgraded to a third alarm through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).
Additional fire departments responded from as far away as Elgin and Belvidere, Vucha said.
Firefighters went inside the home and were able to locate the remaining fire and extinguish it.
The fire was declared under control within 45 minutes. Overhaul and investigation operations continued for an additional two hours.
“A very quick and aggressive attack of the rear of the home by firefighters potentially saved a large portion of the home and contents,” Vucha said.
No injuries were reported to any residents or firefighters.
Vucha said the fire is believed to have begun on the rear deck of the home, which was left uninhabitable due to the damage.
Four residents were displaced from the home. An initial damage estimate was $300,000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but is not believed to be suspicious in nature, Vucha said.