Dog saved from Algonquin house fire

A dog left home alone inside an Algonquin house was rescued from the burning building early Monday evening by a firefighter and passer-by who spotted the blaze.

Chris Bain, who is a McHenry County Animal Control officer, was driving by the home on the 1000 block of North Harrison Street at about 3:26 p.m. when he spotted the fire in an upstairs window.

No one was inside the raised ranch-style house, which was undergoing renovations, but Bain and Battalion Chief John Knebl forced open a basement door and rescued the family dog, according to fire officials.

When crews arrived at the home at 3:30, the first floor was completely involved with fire as well as the basement.

Firefighters had extinguished the blaze by 3:54 p.m., but the building was significantly damaged.

Crews remained at the scene until about 6 p.m. investigating the cause of the fire and shoring up the home.

Fire officials said a contractor was working on the home earlier Monday afternoon, but the cause of the fire remained undetermined Monday night.

Firefighters from the Carpentersville, Cary, Huntley, Fox River Grove and Algonquin departments assisted at the scene.