Incense may have caused Elgin house fire

The embers of incense are believed to be the cause of a house fire than caused around $25,000 in damage to a home at 70 Maple St. in Elgin, according to fire officials.

A 89-year-old man and his 39-year-old grandson were home when the fire started around 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

According to a news release, the grandson called in the fire, which began on the second floor, while still inside helping his grandfather evacuate the home.

Although an investigation continues, the grandson admitted to fire officials that he had burned incense in his second-story bedroom earlier that day. He said he thought he had extinguished the incense before leaving his room, according to the news release.

No one was injured. The house has been deemed uninhabitable because of the fire and smoke damage.