Multiple Rescues Made In Arlington Heights Townhome Fire: Officials

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Several families were displaced from their homes following a Wednesday night fire that trapped people on the second story of the two-story townhome. The Arlington Heights Fire Department was assisted by multiple local agencies in putting out the fire and rescuing occupants.

No firefighters were injured during the blaze. Four units were deemed uninhabitable and the families of those units were displaced due to the fire and smoke damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

According to AHFD, a call was received at 8 p.m. regarding a kitchen fire and trapped people on Pheasant Trail Lane. The fire was coming from vent piping located on the roof of the townhome. The fire was immediately upgraded to a working structure fire, which added multiple companies to help bring the fire under control and rescue trapped occupants.

Initial crews were met at the front door of the complex by a victim from the fire unit who officials said had sustained minor burns and smoke inhalation trying to extinguish the fire that had started in the kitchen area. She was treated at the scene and taken to a local hospital.

The trapped residents on the second floor had made it to the second story balcony on the rear of the building. Fire companies deployed a ladder to the second story balcony and assisted the residents, according to AHFD. After the fire, crews performed searches for residents in all units and performed overhaul to ensure there was no fire extension outside the area of origin.

AHFD received assistance from Long Grove, Mt. Prospect, Buffalo Grove. Palatine and Lake Zurich assisted with rescues and bringing the fire under control. Change of quarters crews from Glenview, Des Plaines, Lake Zurich, and Prospect Heights assisted with fire and EMS coverage for the Village during the incident.

AHFD reminds residents to never leave an open flame unattended while cooking, and ensure that your smoke alarms are up-to-date and in working order.