Fire damages Crystal Lake house

Fire severely damaged a house at 981 North Shore Drive in Crystal Lake Thursday afternoon. There were no injuries reported. The house had been evacuated just before fire crews arrived to find heavy black smoke coming from the rear second floor of the two-story, frame-constructed building. It took firefighters from 11 area departments more than an hour and a half to bring the fire, which had spread throughout the second floor, under control from the outside. The Crystal Lake building department determined the home is inhabitable. Damages are estimated at $360,000. An investigation revealed that the fire started on the roof at the rear of the house as a result of repairs being completed. The Red Cross was contacted to provide help to the occupants.