Two families were left homeless and a firefighter suffered a minor injury after a flames broke out on the top floor of a townhouse, leaving two units damaged, in Hainesville Tuesday evening.
The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and Grayslake-Hainesville Police Department responded around 7:39 p.m. Tuesday to the 100 block of Holiday Lane in Hainesville for a report of a townhouse fire.
Firefighters arrived and found heavy fire coming from a window and the roof of the townhouse, Greater Round Lake Battalion Fire Chief Jay VandeBerg said.
The fire appeared to have originated from the top floor of one of the units.
All residents were able to safely evacuate the building.
VandeBerg said the fire spread into the attic space of the neighboring unit.
A box alarm was requested through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), which brought in resources from several fire departments across Lake and McHenry counties.
Firefighters deployed hose lines and ladders to minimize damage and attack the fire.
A ladder truck was also deployed so firefighters could get a better view of the roof area.
The fire was extinguished in about an hour and 20 minutes, VandeBerg said.
Crews remained on scene conducting overhaul and salvage operations.
Technicians with ComEd and Nicor Gas also responded to tend to utilities.
Grayslake-Hainesville police officers provided traffic control in the neighborhood during the fire.
Two families were displaced due to significant fire and smoke damage, VandeBerg said.
Local support organizations like the American Red Cross are working to provide relief for the two families.
No residents were injured, but a firefighter sustained a minor injury and was transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital for evaluation, VandeBerg said.
It’s not clear how exactly the firefighter was injured.
The Fox Lake, Grayslake, Wauconda, Countryside, Antioch, Lake Villa, Lake Forest and Spring Grove fire departments assisted the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District at the scene.
The McHenry Township and Lake Zurich fire departments provided coverage to the greater Round Lake area while the incident was ongoing.
“The GRLFPD extends its thanks to the numerous fire departments from throughout Lake and McHenry counties that provided mutual aid at the scene and assisted with additional emergency calls,” VandeBerg said.
The fire remains under investigation by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District.
A damage estimate was not immediately available.