Fire in Elgin damages historic home

A fire that is believed to have started in a hall closet severely damaged a home in Elgin's historic district Monday afternoon.

Elgin fire crews were called to the two-story red brick home in the 0-100 block of Hill Avenue on the city's east side around 4 p.m. The blaze was contained to the first floor of the converted two-unit building but smoke damaged the upstairs unit, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Michaels said.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but Carl Pirant, who was asleep at the rear of the home at the time, said he found flames shooting out of a hall closet.

"The smoke detectors were going off," said Pirant, who suggested faulty wiring caused the blaze. "The closet was shut, but I could see fire coming out of it."

Pirant was the only person home at the time. There were no reports of injuries.

Carla Morris, 28, Pirant's daughter, said she has lived in the home with her 8-year-old son LaRoyce Montgomery since April.