No one injured in Palatine garage fire

No one was injured in a garage fire in the 300 block of Westminster Drive in Palatine Monday evening, authorities said.

Authorities said they were called to the area at 10:31 p.m. Monday with reports of smoke in the basement of the home, officials said.

Once arriving on scene and meeting with homeowners outside, it was determined there was heavy smoke in the garage.

Firefighters from the Palatine Fire Department, assisted by crews from the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District, entered the home, opened the overhead garage door, and put out the blaze, officials said.

The fire was found to have been accidental and started by rags used for wood finishing that were not disposed of properly.

Damage was initially estimated at $5,000, and the house was deemed livable by the fire department.

Officials from the Palatine Fire Department would like to emphasize the importance of properly disposing of any rags used for painting or other finishing. Those rags should be placed in a sealed container or bag and placed inside a metal container.