Off-Duty Firefighter Uses Garden Hose To Fight Blaze In Crystal Lake: Officials

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL -- The quick actions of an off-duty firefighter in Crystal Lake helped prevent a fire from spreading Sunday morning.

The firefighter, authorities said, spotted the blaze in the 400 block of Golf Road while driving home, called 911 and then let the resident inside the home know they should evacuate, according to a news release from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department.

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Before fire crews could arrive, the off-duty firefighter used a garden hose attached to the home to help keep the flames at bay. When fire crews arrived, they fully extinguished the blaze, according to a news release.

"The swift intervention by the off-duty firefighter successfully limited the fire's spread, resulting in only minor damage to the home’s exterior siding, deck, and pergola," according to Crystal Lake Fire Department news release.

The fire was determined to be caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, fire officials said. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

Following the fire, officials with the Crystal Lake Bureau of Community Risk Reduction is reminding people that improperly discarded smoking materials are a leading cause of preventable fires. Before you walk away, make sure every cigarette, match, or ash is fully extinguished, according to the news release.

A single ember can ignite dry grass, decks, mulch, or trash within minutes, fire officials said.