Water bed heater might have sparked fire

South Elgin fire officials suspect a water bed heater started a fire that caused extensive damage to a home on the 500 block of East Spring Drive around 2 p.m. Friday.

A witness called the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District to report flames coming from the rear of the single-family home just before 2 p.m., fire officials said. When firefighters arrived, they saw heavy smoke coming from the attic and flames exiting the rear bedroom windows of the ranch-style home, said authorities.

The flames were under control in less than 20 minutes, and firefighters stayed at the scene to assess damage and check for hidden flames. No one was injured and officials said no one was home at the time of the fire, said authorities.

Officials said the blaze caused approximately $110,000 in damage to the home and damaged or destroyed about $75,000 in property. The home is currently uninhabitable.

Although the cause of the fire is under investigation, officials say they suspect it was caused by a water bed heater left plugged in after the water bed was disassembled. The home was so damaged, they added, that firefighters were unable to determine if it had smoke detectors.

South Elgin firefighters were assisted by fire departments from St. Charles, Elgin, Pingree Grove, Hanover Park, Geneva, Bartlett and Hampshire.