Resident slightly injured in S. Elgin house fire

Investigators are looking into the cause and origin of a fire Friday night that rendered a house on South Elgin's northeast side uninhabitable.

"We had visible flames coming out of the building. It was a pretty good-sized fire," said South Elgin Fire Protection District Lt. Arnie Zabran this afternoon.

Firefighters received a call about 5:30 p.m. Friday to the 1400 block of River Road, which is near the Fox River's east bank.

No firefighters were injured, but a female who lived at the home was taken to Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin for smoke inhalation and was treated and released, Zabran said.

The fire damaged the second floor, roof and attic. No damage estimate was available today.

Zabran said the family told rescuers there were three cats inside the house, but firefighters could not find them so perhaps they escaped out a door or window.

Zabran said the area did have fire hydrants, but it was in an older section of town with only one road leading into the homes.

Fire crews from Elgin, St. Charles, Hanover Park, Hampshire, Geneva and Pingree Grove assisted.