Animals were uninjured, including a pig that tried running away and had to be tackled, after a gas-fueled fire caused significant damage to the outside of a home in Round Lake Beach.
The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded around 12:26 p.m. Saturday to the 1600 block of North Ridgeway Avenue in Round Lake Beach for a report of a structure fire.
Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Tony Carraro said crews arrived to find a heavy volume of fire coming from the exterior of a single-family house.
The fire was extinguished in 10-15 minutes and did not extend beyond the original section of the wall.
The natural gas service to the home could not be shut off, complicating the extinguishment efforts, due to the gas meter being damaged by the fire, Carraro said.
Firefighters worked to remove smoke and limit water damage through ventilation and salvage operations.
The interior of the home sustained light smoke and water damage.
Carraro said firefighters were able to limit the spread of gas on the exterior and interior of the home until Nicor Gas arrived.
Fire crews remained on the scene for an additional hour checking for hot spots and performing overhaul and property salvage.
The home was occupied at the time of the fire, Carraro said. The resident, a dog and a pig escaped the home without injury.
The pig, named Charlotte, tried running away from the home but she was tackled by her owner.
There were no injuries to residents or firefighters during the fire.
The Grayslake, Fox Lake, Wauconda, Antioch and Spring Grove fire departments assisted at the scene.
The Lake Villa, Gurnee and McHenry fire departments assisted with other incidents in the Round Lake area during the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District.