Algonquin fire leaves family homeless

A fire Tuesday morning on Algonquin's east side took firefighters from four departments about 15 minutes to douse, but caused enough damage to leave a family homeless.

Crews were called to the blaze in the 0-100 block of Woodview Lane at 8:47 a.m. and saw smoke coming from the first floor and windows of the one-story ranch-style residence.

A failed water heater in the basement of the home is listed as the preliminary cause, fire officials said.

Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Battalion Chief John Greene said the fire was out at 9:05 a.m. and contained to the basement.

No damage estimate was available.

The lone resident at home at the time of the fire escaped with the family's 8-year-old yellow Labrador named Sunny. Jodie Henry, who lives at the home with her husband and two children, said she was showering when she heard a series of popping sounds.

Henry said she went to the basement where she heard a loud explosion and saw smoke shooting from vents inside the kitchen and living room. The home's smoke alarms also sounded.

"I grabbed my robe, grabbed my dog and ran," said Henry, who called 911 from a neighbor's house.

Departments from Carpentersville, Crystal Lake and Huntley assisted the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.