A resident was left displaced and a cat died after the homeowner returned home to find their house on fire in Fox Lake, leaving it with significant damage, fire officials said.
The Fox Lake Fire Protection District responded around 4:15 p.m. Sunday to the 700 block of South Route 59 in Fox Lake for a report of a structure fire.
Fox Lake Fire Protection District Lt. Jacob Geist said the homeowner called 911 after returning home and discovering smoke coming from the residence.
Fire crews arrived to find moderate smoke showing from a two-story, single-family house.
All occupants had safely exited prior to the arrival of emergency personnel, Geist said.
Firefighters quickly initiated an attack by pulling a hose line inside and locating a fire in the kitchen area.
The fire was brought under control within approximately 15 minutes, Geist said.
The area does not have fire hydrants nearby and water supply operations were established on Route 59 using portable tank operations.
Traffic on Route 59 was temporarily shut down in both directions to allow firefighters to operate safely.
The Antioch, Round Lake and Lake Villa fire Departments responded to the scene. The Wauconda and Countryside fire departments covered Fox Lake fire stations.
Geist said firefighters conducted searches of the home and confirmed no occupants were still inside.
A pet cat was located deceased. No residents or firefighters were injured.
Utility companies secured gas and electric services and firefighters performed ventilation and overhaul operations to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
Geist said the home sustained significant damage and was deemed uninhabitable.
The American Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced resident and a board-up company was contacted to secure the building.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fox Lake Fire Protection District Fire Marshal’s Office, Geist said.