Firefighters rescued a dog and other animals from an apartment building fire that left two residents injured and displaced a family near Lake Bluff, fire officials said.
The North Chicago Fire Department responded around 4:22 p.m. Tuesday to Forest Pointe Apartments, 29681 North Waukegan Road in unincorporated Lake Bluff, for a report of a structure fire.
North Chicago Fire Chief John Umek said the residents were alerted after smoke detectors activated.
Firefighters arrived and encountered heavy smoke coming from the roof of a large multi-residential apartment complex.
Umek said firefighters made entry and found a fire inside a first-floor apartment of the 12-unit building, Umek said.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which originated in the kitchen.
An extensive operation was required to remove smoke from the first floor to the attic area throughout the building, Umek said.
Firefighters assisted multiple residents out of the building.
Lake Forest firefighters rescued a dog from the second floor and brought it out to its owner. Firefighters also rescued other animals.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level to bring additional fire departments to the scene.
Two residents were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require transport to the hospital, Umek said.
The apartment where the fire originated sustained extensive damage throughout and the family living there was displaced.
Umek said the American Red Cross responded to provide assistance for the displaced residents.
Other residents from other units were able to go back into the apartment building once the fire was extinguished and the smoke was cleared.
No firefighters were injured and crews remained on the scene for three and a half hours, Umek said.
The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation by the North Chicago Fire Department.
The Beach Park, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Newport, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor and Zion fire departments assisted during the incident.