Officer Rescues Person From Palatine House Fire As Crews Respond

PALATINE, IL — More than 20 firefighters fought flames at a two-story home on North Morris Drive Saturday, according to a news release from the Palatine Fire Department. A Palatine Police Department officer got to the home and reported smoke coming out of it, and then went inside and rescued one resident from the lower level, according to the news release.

Palatine fire crews were called to the fire at 6:47 p.m. and the first crews got to the home four minutes later, where they found heavy smoke coming from the roof, according to the news release. Additional crews from area fire departments helped at the home, and found a fire in the kitchen on the second floor. Firefighters extinguished the flames while other firefighters started removing drywall from the ceiling to expose fire hidden within the attic space, according to the news release.

The fire was put out with most of the damage confined to the kitchen and above attic space, the fire department said, adding that other crews searched the home for hidden areas of fire spread. The fire was under control at 7:09 p.m., according to the news release. The fire was fought by 21 firefighters, 3 engines, two ladder trucks, three ambulances, one rescue squad and Palatine Police officers help with evacuation, traffic and crowd control, according to the news release.

No one was hurt in the fire, which Palatine Fire Department investigators have determined to be accidental, and the amount of damage is unknown at this time.

The Palatine Fire Department reminds everyone that working smoke alarms save lives and are the best defense against being injured in a house fire. 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 home. Fire officials also remind everyone to make sure your smoke alarms are tested each month and are under 10 years old.

More information: Palatine Fire Department and nfpa.org