22 Firefighters Battle Blaze at Palatine Home

It took the efforts of 22 firefighters to put out a blaze Sunday afternoon in an attached garage at 840 S. Benton St., in Palatine. No injuries were reported and the house remained tenable for the two adult occupants according to a press release from the Palatine Fire Department.

The first Palatine Fire Department crews arrived on the scene at 1:25 p.m. and reported smoke showing from the garage area of the one-story single family residence.

The first fire companies pulled a hose line and aggressively attacked the fire through the interior door to the garage, which had been opened prior to the fire department’s arrival. Other firefighters stretched a supply line to a fire hydrant and ensured everyone was out of the house, while still other crews opened the overhead door to access the fire area, ventilated heat and smoke from the house, and provided for emergency medical coverage.

Firefighters had to open a wall and ceiling in the garage to ensure the fire had not extended into the attic space. The fire was declared under control at 1:34 p.m. Firefighters continued to ventilate smoke and perform salvage and overhaul activities for some time after that.

The fire was fought by 22 firefighters, staffing three engines, two ladder trucks, one rescue squad and three ambulances which responded to the scene along with three command officers and two fire investigators. A unit from the Rolling Meadows Fire Department was among the initial responders to the scene as part of an automatic aid agreement. During the incident, a unit from the Long Grove Fire Department stood by in a Palatine fire station to provide coverage for any additional calls. Palatine Police officers assisted at the scene with traffic and crowd control.

Damage estimates were not yet available, and the fire remains under investigation by Palatine Fire Department investigators.

The Palatine Fire Department reminds everyone to call the fire department immediately if you discover a fire. Do not attempt to fight a fire yourself; deadly gases build up quickly in a fire and you can be overcome. Leave the building, and let the firefighters, who are properly trained and equipped, fight the fire.

Submitted by the Palatine Fire Department