No injuries in Elgin house fire

A house on Elgin's near west side was rendered uninhabitable by a fire Tuesday afternoon.

Elgin Fire Marshal Richard Dunne said there were no injuries to residents or firefighters at the blaze at 420 Morgan St.

However, neighbors said a woman and her 12-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter lost everything in the fire, including two dogs and several rabbits.

"The cause is under investigation and the cause is undetermined at this time," Dunne said.

Elgin Fire Capt. Dick Cummings said the house was an older type of construction that more easily allows fire to spread to the attic.

Cummings said three rooms were damaged by fire and the entire house had smoke damage. Officials believe the fire started on the first floor, he said.

The South West Area Neighbors group is collecting clothes, toys and money to help the family.

For details, call SWAN President Charlene Sligting at (630) 927-5890 or e-mail sligtingc@aol.com.

"Our prayers are with the family," she said.

The fire drew a crowd along Morgan Street to watch flames and smoke coming from the home's first and second stories.

Several residents from Orange Street, which is one block north of Morgan, watched rescue crews contain the flames.

"I was outside planting flowers when I smelled it," said Sue Horton, who lives on Orange. "It's a sad thing."

Dunne said a truck was called back to the house by mid-afternoon to tear open walls to help crews investigate.