Garage fire in Hoffman Estates

Quick thinking by a homeowner helped confine a fire to a garage in Hoffman Estates Sunday afternoon.

The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Mayfield Lane shortly after 1 p.m.

Hoffman Estates Fire Capt. Dave Savone said the homeowner was watching the White Sox game and his wife was doing laundry when she smelled something by the garage door. Spotting the fire, the woman closed the garage door, thereby containing the fire to the garage area. The couple safely exited the home and called 911, but firefighters also were notified by a private alarm company, officials said.

Firefighters arrived and had the fire under control within 20 minutes, Savone said. Companies from Barrington, Elk Grove, Elgin and Hanover Park assisted on the call.

Damage is estimated in the $20,00 to 25,000 range, Savone said. The garage sustained fire, water and smoke damage. There was no water damage and only minor smoke damage to the inside of the house, reports said.

Savone said the fire appears to have been accidental.