Crystal Lake controlled burn gets out of hand, damages nearby homes

A controlled burn Tuesday afternoon in Crystal Lake got a little out of hand, causing damage to nearby homes, authorities said.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded to the call around 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Heat radiating from the fire melted siding on eight homes along Wheatland Drive, officials said.

An unnamed private company was conducting the land management burn.

Fire rescue personnel prevented further damage to the homes by extinguishing the fire. No firefighters or civilians were injured.

Huntley Road was shut down to through traffic from Plum Tree Drive to Barlina Road.

Crystal Lake Fire Rescue is investigating the fire. The department is being helped by the Crystal Lake Police Department, Woodstock Fire Rescue, and Lakewood Fire Department.