Barking dog alerts owner to apartment fire in Elgin

A barking dog alerted its owner Friday morning to an Elgin apartment fire in which no one was hurt, authorities said.

Firefighters were called at 1:38 a.m. to a two-unit apartment building on the 200 block of Raymond Street. Flames were coming out of the upper apartment's windows, according to a news release from the Elgin Fire Department.

A second floor occupant was evaluated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation. He told firefighters he was alerted to the fire by his dog, and there were no functioning smoke detectors on the second floor.

Occupants on the lower level exited the building and were unharmed. No firefighters were injured in the blaze, which was under control in 14 minutes.

The building was determined to be unsafe to inhabit, the fire department said. Damage was estimated at approximately $25,000.

The fire remains under investigation.