Fire torches Arlington Heights apartment

An unattended candle sparked an Arlington Heights kitchen fire Wednesday afternoon that left a family’s apartment uninhabitable.

The kitchen area was gutted during the fire, which spread into the living room and caused smoke damage throughout the building on the 2100 block of South Goebbert Road.

A neighbor across the hall from the first-floor unit saw smoke coming from under the door and called 911 just after 12:30 p.m.

Fire officials said the blaze was put out quickly, but the unit sustained extensive fire and smoke damage. One firefighter was hospitalized with a minor injury but was released Wednesday night.

Fireproof drywall prevented the fully involved kitchen fire from spreading to the second floor, said Arlington Heights Cmdr. Bill Essling.

“The fire codes really made a difference with this fire,” Essling said. “The drywall held up.”

Fire inspectors estimated the damages to the unit and hallway at $150,000.

Inspectors remained on the scene late Wednesday afternoon as the building was evacuated to ventilate smoke.

Officials said the fire started when a resident of the apartment left the candle burning while picking up her children at the bus stop.

The Arlington Heights Fire Department was assisted by the Mount Prospect and Elk Grove Village departments.