Passer-by alerts family to fire near McHenry

A passer-by alerted three McHenry-area residents that the attached garage of their home was on fire Thursday morning, after which they were able to escape safely, authorities said.

Wauconda Fire District firefighters were dispatched to the blaze at 10:15 a.m. on the 28000 block of North Lakeview Circle in an unincorporated area near McHenry. They observed heavy fire coming from the attached garage of the one-story wood frame house and were able to bring it under control within 20 minutes and keep it from spreading, according to a news release.

No injuries were reported, though one of the residents who has an existing medical condition was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington as a precaution.

The garage, as well as a vehicle and a motorcycle that were inside, was a total loss. The house, which sustained smoke and water damage, is currently uninhabitable. The Red Cross arranged for temporary housing, clothing and food for the occupants of the house, authorities said.

Investigators hadn't yet determined a cause of the fire.

As many as 13 other fire departments responded to the fire, bringing water with them because the neighborhood doesn't have fire hydrants, authorities said.