Officials: Police officer hurt in Vernon Hills fire

Approximately six families were displaced and a Vernon Hills police officer was injured after a fire at an apartment complex in Vernon Hills Thursday.

According to information provided by the Countryside Fire Protection District, firefighters responded at approximately 3 p.m. to a fire on the 900 block of Commonwealth Court.

Upon arrival, crews saw smoke coming from the second floor of the two story multifamily apartment complex, which occupants were also evacuating.

The report said crews entered the common hallway and advanced a hose into an apartment filled with heavy smoke, as a fire was spreading in a common chase to the attic.

Firefighters said the blaze was under control in less than 10 minutes. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames that consumed a large section of the attic and prevent spread to adjoining units.

The police officer was treated for a nonlife threatening injury, firefighters said.

Occupants were able to return to their apartments in the adjoining complex. However, the building consumed by fire was ruled uninhabitable.

The displaced families were taken care of by Red Cross.

Damage estimates are approximately $80,000 for the structure and the contents at this time. The potential loss could have exceeded $2 million, firefighters said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Among the fire departments responding were units from Mundelein, Libertyville and Lincolnshire/Riverwoods.