Firefighters rescued a dog and extinguished a fire that engulfed a chimney, leaving a townhome uninhabitable and a family displaced, in Gurnee Monday afternoon.
The Gurnee Fire Department and Gurnee Police Department responded around 2:45 p.m. Monday to the 900 block of Clark Drive in Gurnee for a report of a structure fire.
Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Nick Perry said fire crews arrived to find an active chimney fire at a townhome.
A smoke header was also seen in the distance and a Working Still Alarm was requested for additional resources.
The Grayslake Fire Protection District and Newport Township Fire Protection District were dispatched.
Firefighters entered the home to ensure everyone was out, Perry said. They rescued a dog that was still inside.
Firefighters pulled a hose line to the exterior of the home and started extinguishing the fire, which had fully engulfed the chimney.
Additional firefighters pulled a second hose line to the interior of the home, Perry said.
The fire had begun spreading approximately three feet along the ceiling line. Crews used water and foam to extinguish it and also pulled down some ceiling to check for fire extension, Perry said.
A neighbor spotted the fire and called 911. The residents were not home at the time.
The dog rescued from the residence was in good condition and no injuries were reported to firefighters.
Perry said the townhome was deemed uninhabitable until repairs can be made and a board-up company responded.
The fire was contained to the unit of origin. A mother and a daughter were displaced from the home.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but it is believed to have started in the wood-burning fireplace, which was left burning while unattended, Perry said.
Fire crews remained at the scene for approximately two hours. The Libertyville, Zion, Lake Villa and Mundelein fire departments covered Gurnee fire stations during the incident.
Perry said residents are encouraged to ensure any form of heating is well monitored during the cold weather season.