Mundelein home home has $150,000 in damages from fire

A Mundelein man suffered a minor injury early Saturday morning in a fire caused by fireplace ashes that had been placed in an outside plastic garbage can, officials said.

The homeowners were alerted about the fire in the 500 block of S. Lake Terrace by a Mundelein police officer who saw smoke in the neighborhood, the Mundelein Fire Department said in a news release.

The fire department responded to a 911 call placed at 2:08 a.m. and found heavy fire on the exterior of the home moving rapidly toward the inside.

The home’s smoke detectors had just activated when the police officer arrived, the release said.

Wind gusts at 35 mph contributed to the rapid fire spread. The home suffered extensive structural damage estimated at $150,000.

The fire was in control by 2:25 a.m. and out by 2:45 a.m. Fire departments who assisted include Countryside, Grayslake, Lake Villa, Libertyville, Lincolnshire and Wauconda.

The man suffered a small burn on his foot while attempting to put out the fire, but refused transport to the hospital, the release said.

Fire officials advise residents to make sure fireplace or grill ashes are cold before removal. They should be placed in a metal container a safe distance from combustible materials or the exterior of buildings.