Resident credited with keeping Mount Prospect house fire under control

Mount Prospect fire officials are crediting the actions of a resident with fire extinguisher training for limiting the damage caused by a house fire early Monday morning.

Firefighters called to the home in the 1800 block of Azalea Lane at about 4 a.m. Monday found a small smoldering fire inside an exterior wall. Although the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, it appears it was caused by a malfunctioning porch light, according to the Mount Prospect Fire Department.

Smoke alarms woke up the residents, allowing them to get out of the home safely. Officials said the homeowner, who had attended a Citizen Emergency Preparedness course, used a fire extinguisher to keep the blaze under control until firefighters arrived.

"In this case, the resident's quick thinking and actions greatly aided the firefighters' response and limited the damage caused by this fire," Interim Fire Chief Brian Lambel said in a news release.