File Photo – Liberty Arms Senior Apartments in Wauconda | Photo: Google Street View

Five residents were transported to the hospital with injuries after a fire started inside a senior living apartment building in Wauconda Thursday afternoon, fire officials said.

The Wauconda Fire District responded around 3:09 p.m. Thursday to Liberty Arms Senior Living, 260 Larkdale Row in Wauconda, for a report of a structure fire.

Crews arrived in three minutes and found a fire, which was being kept in check by a sprinkler head, in a unit on the second floor, according to Wauconda Fire District Division Chief Mike DaValle.

The fire was quickly extinguished by the first arriving crew while other crews worked to clear the other apartments within the facility.

Multiple ambulances were called to the scene and five occupants were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, DaValle said.

“The importance of the sprinkler system in this case is vital as it did not allow the fire to grow in size and aided in the assistance of extinguishing the fire,” DaValle said.

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The fire was believed to be related to cooking and fire officials say residents should not leave cooking unattended.

The American Red Cross was called to provide assistance to the affected residents. Damage is estimated at $300,000.

The Wauconda Fire District said they were assisted at the scene by Lake Zurich, Countryside, Grayslake, Nunda; Barrington, Lake Villa, Inverness, Fox River Grove, Lake Villa, Round Lake and Mundelein fire departments.

The Wauconda Police Department assisted with evacuations and accountability of the residents.

The Wauconda Township and Wauconda Park District provided buses for cooling and transportation for residents who were affected by the fire, DaValle added.