Fire causes $450,000 damage to St. Charles building

A fire early Sunday morning significantly damaged a mixed-use building on Third Street in St. Charles.

Firefighters arrived at 828 S. Third St. shortly before 6 a.m. and found heavy fire in the basement, according to a news release from the St. Charles Fire Department. The fire had already spread to the first floor of the building, which includes both commercial and residential tenants. No one was hurt, authorities said.

Because of the size of the fire and the snowy conditions, St. Charles solicited help from nearby departments. The departments of Geneva, Batavia, Elburn, West Chicago and South Elgin were among those that responded.

It took about three hours to put the fire out, authorities said. Investigators estimate that the fire caused $350,000 in damage to the building and another $100,000 in damage to its contents.

Three people were in one of the rental units when the fire broke out, but they were able to evacuate safely, authorities said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.