Firefighters rescue boy from Rockford home fire

ROCKFORD - Rockford firefighters have rescued a 14-year-old boy who they found hiding in the basement under a sheet during a home fire.

The Rockford Register Star reports firefighters responded to heavy flames in the building Wednesday. Neighbors told responders there might be children home.

Firefighters say the boy couldn't escape because of heavy smoke on the first floor. Fire District Chief Dan Zaccard describes him as a special-needs child. His injuries aren't life threatening.

Zaccard says no adults were home at the time of the fire and smoke alarms were operating. Fire authorities say the Department of Child and Family Services was called as a matter of protocol.

Damage was estimated at $15,000. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com