Officials: Passer-by helps control Elgin fire until crews arrive

A passer-by used a garden hose to help control a fire in the basement of an Elgin house Tuesday afternoon before firefighters arrived, authorities said.

That action helped reduce the overall damage caused by the fire to the one-story house at 499 Summit St., located on Elgin's east side, according to the Elgin Fire Department.

Firefighting crews arrived at the house at 12:10 p.m. to find smoke coming from the basement windows on the side and rear of the house, according to a news release.

Residents told firefighters there were others whose location was unknown and might have been in the basement, but firefighters searched the basement and didn't find anyone.

No injuries were reported.

A cause of was not immediately known but remained under investigation. Total damages to the building and contents was estimated to be about $20,000.