Off-duty firefighter uses garden hose to contain blaze

An off-duty firefighter used a garden hose to help contain a house fire in Crystal Lake early Saturday, officials said.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department was called out to the 400 block of Golf Road at 8:59 a.m. Saturday for a reported structure fire involving a deck and pergola in the back of a home, authorities said.

An off-duty Crystal Lake firefighter spotted the flames while passing by the home, called 911 and alerted the resident to evacuate, according to the fire department.

The firefighter “immediately began an initial fire attack using a garden hose attached to the home,” officials said.

When fire crews arrived, they deployed a hose line to the back of the property to put out the fire.

Officials said the firefighter’s intervention limited the fire’s spread. The fire only caused minor damage to the home’s exterior siding, deck and pergola.

No injuries were reported. Fire officials determined that improperly discarded smoking materials caused the blaze.

“The Crystal Lake Bureau of Community Risk Reduction would like to remind people that improperly discarded smoking materials are a leading cause of preventable fires,” officials said in a news release. “Before you walk away, make sure every cigarette, match, or ash is fully extinguished. A single ember can ignite dry grass, decks, mulch, or trash within minutes. Protect your home, your neighbors, and first responders — dispose of smoking materials responsibly.”