Late night condo fire leaves one Palatine unit untenable

A late-night fire in a two-story condo building in northeast Palatine left one person without a place to live Thursday.

According to a news release from the Palatine fire department, the fire started just before 11:34 p.m. in one of the eight units in the building, which is located at 2254 N. Baldwin Way. When firefighters arrived on the scene six minutes later, they saw heavy smoke rising from a front window on the first floor. Firefighters attacked the fire with hoses both from outside the building and inside. In addition, crews opened sections of drywall in the ceiling and some walls to ensure no hidden fires had started.

After 14 minutes, the fire was declared under control at 11:54 p.m.

No residents or firefighters were hurt in the fire, but two pet birds perished from the smoke, according to the release.

Jim Conn, Palatine battalion chief, said the cause of the fire is still under investigation but initial reports indicate it was an accident.

Conn said the only unit that was rendered untenable by the blaze is the same one where the fire started, which one person lived in.

The fire was fought by 30 firefighters manning four engines, three ladder trucks, one rescue squad and four ambulances. Members of the Arlington Heights, Long Grove and Buffalo Grove Fire Departments responded to the fire as well and Palatine Police officers assisted with security, traffic and crowd control.