Six residents were displaced after a fire engulfed a garage and damaged a house, leaving a dog dead, near Marengo Friday afternoon, fire officials said.
The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts responded around 2:28 p.m. Friday to the 21000 block of West Coral Road in unincorporated Marengo for a report of a structure fire.
Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said the homeowner called 911 to report a fire in their attached garage of a single-family residence.
Responding firefighters reported seeing a large smoke header in the distance.
Firefighters arrived and found heavy flames showing from the garage, Vucha said.
The incident was upgraded through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to the box level for additional water, manpower and resources due to the extent of the fire and the rural location, which does not have fire hydrants.
Firefighters conducted an aggressive fire attack while additional personnel established operations and a rural water supply operation from the roadway, Vucha said.
The main body of fire was contained within 20 minutes of arrival.
Firefighters also made entry into the home to conduct a search and found the fire had not extended into the living spaces or attic.
Vucha said the inside of the residence sustained smoke damage but did not sustain fire damage.
Firefighters completed ventilation and overhaul operations on the garage before fire investigators conducted a preliminary assessment. Fire crews left the scene by 5:15 p.m.
Two people were at the home when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported to any residents or firefighters. A dog was found dead in the garage.
A total of six residents were displaced and the American Red Cross was requested to provide temporary assistance to the family, Vucha said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts.
The Algonquin, City of Belvidere, Boone County District 2, Crystal Lake, Genoa-Kingston, Hampshire, Harvard, Hebron, Huntley, Union and Woodstock fire departments assisted during the incident.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Marengo Police Department also assisted at the scene.