Electrical malfunction blamed for fire that gutted Mount Prospect garage

An electrical malfunction is the suspected cause of a garage fire that gutted a detached garage in Mount Prospect, fire officials said Monday.

Mount Prospect firefighters were called to the residence on the corner of Central Road and Hatlen Avenue at about 11:15 a.m. Friday in response to the reported fire. Upon their arrival, they discovered heavy flames and smoke coming from the detached garage, according to the fire department.

Both the home and garage were evacuated prior to the fire department's arrival, authorities said.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes, and damages have been estimated at $40,000, the fire department reported. The cause appears accidental, officials said.

Firefighters from Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, and Elk Grove Township assisted, as did ComEd and Mount Prospect's Human Services Department.