Coals start fire at Streamwood townhouse

Charcoal from a grill deposited in a cardboard container next to a deck was blamed for starting a fire at a Streamwood townhouse Monday.

Streamwood Fire Department Battalion Chief Christopher Clark said no one was injured in the fire that occurred at 270 Ascot Lane. The home's occupants evacuated the structure after summoning firefighters at 11:08 a.m.

Clark said the home's grill was used Sunday. He said what were presumed to be dead coals Monday morning were emptied into a the cardboard, which was next to the deck.

As it turned out, the coals smoldered for several hours Monday before the fire erupted in the container and spread to the deck and eventually into the end unit of the townhouse, Clark said. He said there was heavy damage to the home's first and second floors and that the residents had to find shelter elsewhere Monday.

"Charcoal can stay hot forr several hours," Clark said, "but it's not always obvious it's hot."

Clark said the other three units in the complex sustained minor smoke damage, but residents were allowed to remain.

Streamwood firefighters were assisted by the Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, South Elgin and East Dundee fire departments. Winds that reached up to 20 mph made fighting the blaze a challenge, Clark said.