One person was injured but no animals were harmed after a barn that houses animals caught on fire before being quickly extinguished in Island Lake Tuesday morning.
The Wauconda Fire District responded around 7:50 a.m. Tuesday to Happy Tails Ranch, 4319 Roberts Road in Island Lake, for a report of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived within two and a half minutes and found smoke coming from the rear of a barn on the property.
Fire officials said the property owner noticed the smoke and called 911.
The owner entered the barn to use a fire extinguisher in an attempt to control the fire before fire crews arrived.
The barn houses ducks and chickens, all of which were unharmed thanks to the “owner’s quick actions and the rapid response from fire personnel,” fire officials said.
The property owner was treated by paramedics at the scene but did not require transport to the hospital.
An investigation showed that the fire was caused by a heat lamp used for baby chicks.
Damage to the barn was estimated at approximately $5,000.
The Wauconda Fire District said residents are reminded to use “extreme caution” when operating heat lamps, especially when free-range animals are present.
“Heat lamps can be easily knocked over, posing a significant fire risk,” the fire district said.