Fire causes $75,000 in damage to Elgin home

A backyard fire left an Elgin home uninhabitable Tuesday night, authorities said.

Elgin firefighters responded to South Aldine Street after gray and black smoke was spotted from a backyard at about 6:30 p.m., authorities said.

Firefighters encountered significant fire burning in the entire rear side of the two-story house. The fire extended into the eaves and then started the detached garage on fire, authorities said. The fire also damaged rooms inside the house.

The homeowner told firefighters the blaze started outside and no one was in the house, officials said.

Firefighters had the blaze under control at 6:44 p.m., according to a news release.

The homeowner told investigators he had been burning checks on a table on the wooden deck, thought he put out the fire and went inside. The man later came outside, discovered the fire and tried to extinguish it himself. Neighbors called the fire department.

The fire caused about $75,000 in damage and the home was deemed not inhabitable, the fire officials said.

There were no injuries.