Fire damages Elgin Township home

A home in unincorporated Elgin Township was left uninhabitable by an accidental fire Thursday, authorities said.

Within minutes of their arrival, crews gained access to the home on Airlite Street, where they found an elderly woman who uses a wheelchair and her adult son still inside.

The woman was rescued without injury, and her son got out of the home on his own. Both residents were treated at the scene and refused any additional medical care, the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District said in a news release.

Authorities determined the fire started in the kitchen and extended to the second floor through an opening in the ceiling and into the attic.

South Elgin and Elgin crews managed to bring the fire under control within 16 minutes after their arrival, but hot spots remained in the attic, according to the news release. Extensive overhaul work was required to completely extinguish the smoldering spots in the attic.

The estimated dollar loss is believed to be approximately $150,000. The cause of the fire was accidental due to cooking, the release said.

The district reminded residents to never leave open flames or cooking materials unattended.