Palatine man hospitalized after towhhouse fire

A 41-year-old Palatine man was hospitalized Thursday from injuries he suffered in a fire late Wednesday in a townhouse in the 1300 block of Knollwood Drive, Palatine Fire Department officials said in a news release.

The fire was reported by a neighbor at 11:56 p.m. and arriving crews found flames coming out the front door and front windows on the first floor.

The fire department was on the scene within four minutes. Initial fire crews were met by the homeowner at the front door trying to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. The fire was under control by 12:07 a.m. and quickly extinguished, the release said.

The homeowner, who was alone in the unit, suffered smoke inhalation and burn injuries to his hands. He was treated at the scene and transported to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, where he was admitted, the release said.

Two cats found inside the unit were taken by animal control to Golf Rose Veterinary Hospital, while a third cat was killed by the smoke.

The fire was contained to the living room and contents, but the entire unit sustained extensive smoke damage throughout and deemed uninhabitable.

The resident told officials when he awoke, smoke was in the townhouse and he found the living room on fire. It is unclear if smoke detectors were working, the release said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage was limited to one unit and estimated at $150,000.