The fire department is investigating after a fire engulfed the rear of a house, which was being used as a short-term rental, and caused significant damage in Waukegan.
The Waukegan Fire Department and Waukegan Police Department responded around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday to the 1100 block of North Poplar Street for a report of a structure fire.
Waukegan Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Zupec said firefighters arrived and found heavy flames coming from the rear of a house, which is located down the street from Glen Flora Elementary School.
Fire crews initiated an attack on the fire from the rear of the structure before working their way to the inside of the home.
A search was completed to ensure the home was clear of any potential trapped victims, Zupec said.
The fire was eventually extinguished and did not spread to any neighboring homes or garages.
The fire appeared to originate on the outside and spread to the interior of the home, causing significant damage to the inside of the house, Zupec said.
There were no occupants in the house at the time of the fire. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported.
Waukegan 6th Ward Alderman Keith Turner said a neighbor called him and notified him of the fire.
Turner went to the scene to check on the residents but he said no one was home at the time of the fire and the home was being used as a short-term rental home.
Zupec said a damage estimate was not immediately available. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.