Townhouse burns near Deerfield

A Deerfield-area townhouse was burned down in a fire Thursday evening.

The Lincolnshire Fire department responded to the four-unit buildling at 836 Swallow St. at around 5 p.m.

Chief Fred Kruger said the fire was already through the roof of the two-story end unit when crews arrived on the scene.

"We had to evacuate the whole building," he said.

A firefighter also fell through the floor of the second story while battling the flames. Although he suffered some burns on his arms, he refused medical treatment, Kruger said.

"The unit of origin is pretty much a total burnout," Kruger said. "There's only one room of furniture left."

The neighboring units had some smoke damage, but those residents were able to return to their homes Thursday night.

The fire started on the second-floor bedroom of the townhouse, Kruger said. A cause hasn't been determined.

The residents were able to escape.

The fire was put out after about an hour, Kruger said. The Long Grove, Deerfield and Northbrook fire departments assisted at the scene.

No damage estimates were available Thursday.