No injuries have been reported but three adults and an infant have been displaced following an early morning apartment fire in Harvard, authorities said.
The Harvard Fire Protection District responded to a reported apartment fire in the 1100 block of 9th Street at 5:47 a.m. Wednesday, said Harvard Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from a first-floor apartment unit, Vucha said.
Firefighters deployed a hose line to the window and knocked down the bulk of the fire within three minutes, Vucha said.
Crews made entry into the unit to extinguish remaining hotspots and conduct any overhaul necessary, Vucha said.
Vucha said the fire damage was contained to the kitchen, but heavy smoke affected the entire unit and damaged all of the occupants’ personal belongings.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported, Vucha said.
The affected apartment is uninhabitable and three adults and an infant who lived in the apartment are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross, Vucha said.
While the building did not have a central sprinkler system or smoke alarm system, individual battery-operated smoke detectors were present and activated, Vucha said.
Three additional units in the building sustained minor smoke damage but will be habitable once utilities are restored, Vucha said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Harvard Fire Protection District.
Vucha said this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of working smoke detectors in every home.
The Harvard Fire Protection District encourages residents to test their smoke alarms monthly, replace batteries as needed, and install alarms in every sleeping area and on every level of their home, Vucha said.
The Harvard Fire Protection District would like to thank the Harvard Police Department, our dispatchers, and our auto and mutual aid partners from Capron Rescue Squad, Huntley Fire Protection District, Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts, Sharon Fire Department (WI), Union Fire Protection District, and Woodstock Fire/Rescue District for their assistance during this incident.