Vernon Hills firefighter treated for heat exhaustion after blaze

A firefighter suffered heat exhaustion in a structure fire that started at about 5 p.m. in the 100 block of Maplewood Drive in Vernon Hills Thursday evening, fire officials said.

According to a news release issued by the Countryside Fire Protection District, the firefighter suffered from minor heat exhaustion while battling the kitchen fire in the tri-level townhouse. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and released.

Fire crews were called to the scene at 5:05 p.m., officials said, and saw smoke coming from the garage area.

Crews entered the townhouse and found heavy smoke conditions and fire in the kitchen area.

The fire was under control in 10 minutes, but crews checked the remaining home as well as the adjoining unit to ensure the fire did not spread through the walls.

The homeowner was not injured, but the townhouse was left uninhabitable, officials said. The Red Cross was called in to provide support to the unidentified resident.

Investigators determined the cause of the fire was from unspecified combustibles stored in an oven broiler drawer, officials said.

Crews from Mundelein, Libertyville and Lincolnshire provided assistance to Countryside during the fire.