An investigation is underway after a fire heavily damaged a vacant home near Crystal Lake and prompted the response of numerous fire departments Friday afternoon.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded around 4:44 p.m. Friday to the 3000 block of Walkup Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake for a report of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived on the scene within six minutes to find heavy flames showing from the rear of the two-story residence, Crystal Lake Deputy Fire Chief Craig Snyder said.
The incident was upgraded through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) for additional fire departments to assist.
Crews had difficulty in extinguishing the fire and requested an excavator to the scene, Snyder said.
Nunda Township responded with the excavation crew and dismantled the property while fire crews extinguished all remaining fire and hotspots.
Snyder said firefighters were on the scene for over five hours.
The single-family home sustained heavy fire, heat, smoke and water damage.
The residence was vacant at the time of the fire, Snyder said.
Power, gas and water to the property were already disconnected when the fire began.
The estimated loss to the property was $125,000. There were no injuries to any firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Snyder said.