Extra-Alarm Fire Destroys IL Home, Spreads to Nearby Houses

An off-duty firefighter on his way to work Wednesday morning spotted the blaze involving three Northbrook homes.

Jan. 16, 2019

Crews from about a dozen fire departments fought an extra-alarm fire involving three homes in a suburb north of Chicago early Wednesday.

No injuries were reported from the Northbrook blaze, which was spotted by an off-duty firefighter heading to work at about 6:30 a.m., WLS-TV reports. The fire began at a single residence before spreading to two neighboring homes about 25 to 30 feet apart.

Firefighters were still dealing with hot spots at the scene as of about 9 a.m., and authorities told WLS that the home where the fire had originated was a total loss. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, and they're trying to confirm reports about whether an explosion occurred, the TV station added.