Neighbor helped prevent Hoffman Estates apartment fire from spreading

A neighbor's quick actions Sunday morning may have prevented a Hoffman Estates apartment fire from spreading to other parts of the building, officials said.

The blaze started in the kitchen of a third-floor apartment in the 2100 block of Hassell Road, according to the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. An occupant in a neighboring apartment used a fire extinguisher to put out the main body of the fire, which was mostly extinguished by the time firefighters arrived about 11 a.m.

Fire officials said the neighbor's fast response kept the fire contained within the unit and limited the smoke damage to the apartment and hallway. No injuries were reported.

The blaze caused about $20,000 in damage to the building and its contents, officials said. The cause is under investigation.