Fire leaves Elgin home uninhabitable

A fire left some $60,000 worth of damages to a 2-story house Thursday night in Elgin, authorities said.

A passer-by noticed smoke and flames coming from the house on the 300 block of South Liberty Street, and reported it to authorities at 6:37 p.m. The passer-by knocked on the doors and windows, but no one was home at the time, according to Elgin Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Michaels.

Michaels said an initial investigation found that the fire started in the basement, then climbed the exterior wall through the first and second floors — all the way to the attack.

“We know it started in the basement area. We don't know what was down there,” Michaels said. “The investigator was talking to the owners.”

No injuries were reported.

The house was deemed uninhabitable. The fire department chaplain was speaking with the homeowners to secure a place for them to stay for the night. American Red Cross staff were also on scene, Michaels said.

Fire departments from neighboring communities also responded to the fire after Elgin authorities upgraded the call to a box alarm.