Palatine apartment fire quickly extinguished

Palatine firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze that started in an exterior maintenance closet at a three-unit apartment building Friday afternoon.

Officials said the fire was contained to the closet located on the balcony of the building's second floor. The cause remains under investigation and no cost estimates of the damage were immediately available.

Fire officials said occupants of the three apartment units at 724 E. Independence Drive were allowed to return to their homes once the fire was extinguished just before 4 p.m.

Palatine firefighters began battling the blaze at 3:50 p.m., five minutes after being notified, according to a fire department news release.

Firefighters from Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove and Long Grove assisted.