Prospect Hts. apts. evacuated after fire

Two five-story apartment buildings in Prospect Heights were evacuated after a pool building in between them caught on fire early Thursday.

The Prospect Height Fire Protection District was called to 18 E. Old Willow Road around 2:10 a.m. and found heavy black smoke coming from the pool house.

The dispatch center had received reports that residents were trapped in their apartments, causing the department to upgrade the fire response. Firefighters from Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Arlington Heights, Long Grove, Elk Grove Township, Des Plaines, North Maine, Niles, Deerfield and Glenview also responded to the scene.

Firefighters helped residents leave their apartments; nobody was injured during the evacuation.

The fire was brought under control in about half an hour, according to the department.

Damage is estimated at $200,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.