'Accidental' Palatine Apartment Fire Contained To 1 Unit

PALATINE, IL — The Palatine Fire Department was called to a reported fire Saturday at an apartment building in the 1300 block of N. Ports O Call Drive. According to a news release from the fire department, Palatine fire crews were called at 4:38 p.m. and the first crews arrived at the three-story building at 4:45 p.m., where they found smoke coming from the roof. Fire crews pulled a hose line to the third floor where they found a fire in apartment 2E, and quickly began removing ceilings inside the unit to expose the hidden fire before putting it out, according to the news release.

According to the fire department, most of the damage was in the unit, with some water damage in the units directly below. Fire crews searched the building for any trapped occupants and to find any other hidden fires, before declaring the fire under control at 4:53 p.m., the news release said.

No one was injured during the fire, and crews kept the flames contained to one apartment, according to the fire department. Damage estimates are not available, according to the news release, adding that Palatine Fire Department investigators determined the cause of the fire to be accidental, and electrical "in nature."

Fire crews and first responders from several area agencies assisted the Palatine Fire Department Saturday.

The Palatine Fire Department reminds everyone that working smoke alarms save lives. The department also remind everyone to make sure your smoke alarms are under 10 years old, and are tested each month. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), all homes should have working smoke alarms in and outside each sleeping area and on each floor of the residence.

More information: Palatine Fire Department and nfpa.org