A firefighter and a resident were injured and multiple pets were rescued after a fire broke out at a house in Round Lake Beach, leaving five occupants displaced Wednesday evening.
The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Round Lake Beach Police Department and automatic aid fire departments responded around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 1100 block of Hillwood Circle for a report of a structure fire.
The first fire unit arrived within five minutes and found smoke and fire coming from a one-story single-family house, Greater Round Lake Battalion Fire Chief Charley Mitchell said.
According to fire department radio traffic, multiple people were running in and out of the house when firefighters arrived.
Firefighters deployed a hose line and entered the home.
A supply hose line was connected to a fire hydrant directly next to the driveway.
Crews brought the fire under control within around 15 minutes and searched the home, Mitchell said.
Three dogs and several birds were rescued.
One firefighter sustained a minor injury to their hand and was evaluated by paramedics at the scene.
A resident was also evaluated.
Neither was transported to the hospital, and both were released from the scene.
A Lake & McHenry County Scanner reporter saw around 15 people standing on the driveway of the home.
It is unclear how exactly the group was related to the residents.
Firefighters remained on scene to conduct overhaul and salvage operations, Mitchell said.
They also helped the residents recover some belongings.
A field employee with Nicor Gas responded and tended to the natural gas utilities at the home, which was deemed uninhabitable.
Five residents were displaced from the home, Mitchell said at the scene.
Mitchell thanked the Grayslake, Fox Lake and Wauconda fire districts for assisting at the scene.
It is currently unclear how the fire started.
The incident remains under investigation by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District.
“All area residents are reminded to check their smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning,” Mitchell said.
Those in the Greater Round Lake area who need assistance checking their detectors or replacing missing detectors can call the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District at 847-546-6001.