A large fire department response was sent after a report of an explosion and a fire that left the entire rear of a house engulfed in flames while the home was under renovation in Fox River Grove.
The Fox River Grove Fire Protection District and Fox River Grove Police Department responded around 11:52 p.m. Friday to the area of Route 22 and Gardner Road in Fox River Grove for a report of a structure fire.
Fox River Grove Fire Protection District Chief Robert Kreher said fire crews arrived in the area and located the fire in the 1000 block of Victoria Drive.
Initial reports indicated a house explosion and police arrived first to find the whole rear of the house on fire. A neighbor informed responders that the home was vacant.
Kreher said fire crews reported the entire rear of the single-family, two-story house was engulfed in flames.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level to bring additional fire departments to the scene.
Small propane tanks in the backyard likely caused the explosion in the back of the house.
Firefighters began extinguishing the fire and confirmed nobody was in the home, Kreher said.
The large house was under renovation at the time of the fire and no one was living inside.
Kreher said it took firefighters approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the fire and they remained on the scene conducting overhaul operations.
No injuries were reported to firefighters and the fire was contained to the house where it originated.
The fire caused extensive damage to the home. It spread into the attic and smoke and water damaged both floors of the residence, Kreher said.
The home will be uninhabitable until repairs can be made. Utility companies responded to secure the electrical and gas.
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, Barrington, Barrington Countryside, Cary, Huntley, McHenry, Nunda Rural, Crystal Lake and Long Grove fire departments assisted.
Kreher said the fire is not believed to be suspicious in nature but remains under investigation.