A fire in Elk Grove Village damaged one wing of an apartment building and displaced at least 40 families Tuesday night.
The fire started around 5:30 p.m. in a first-floor unit of the apartment building in the 900 block of Ridge Square, according to Elk Grove Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Stecki.
It started within the walls of the unit, where plumbing work was being done, Stecki said, before moving through the walls to units directly above, on the second and third floors. The fire caused minor damage in the attic.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
About 30 minutes after Elk Grove fire crews arrived on the scene, about a dozen northwest suburban fire departments were called to respond, and a total of 20 to 25 fire units fought the fire for another 15 minutes before it was put out.
The Elk Grove Police Department also assisted in evacuating residents from the apartment.
“It was a big team effort,” Stecki said.
The apartment building had a working alarm system, which also helped in the evacuation process, Stecki said.
“There was a fire alarm system that was operational. That’s important,” Stecki said.
No one was injured in the blaze, but the Red Cross is helping the displaced families find a place to stay the night Tuesday and possibly for several nights, Stecki said.
“It’s not just for the evening. There’s extensive damage,” Stecki said. “There’s a lot of families. Between painting and smoke and a lot of cleanup, it’s going to take some time.”
The building is an L-shape, he said, and all units in the wing that was affected by the fire are uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage. Stecki estimated damages to be around $150,000 to $200,000.
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