Ten people were left homeless following a fire in the 200 block of Michigan Street Saturday afternoon, Elgin firefighters said.
Firefighters responded to a call of a structure fire at 12:53 p.m. and arrived to smoke and fire coming from a second story porch as residents were still evacuating the building with the help of Elgin police, according to an Elgin Fire Department press release.
The proximity of the three-story home to neighboring homes and the volume of the fire led firefighters to elevate the incident to a First Level Box Alarm, which drew seven surrounding fire departments to assist, the release stated.
Fire crews discovered the fire was in the outside walls and in between the second and third floor spaces and were able to get the blaze under control by 1:19 p.m.
Damage to the home was extensive and estimated at $100,000, the release stated. The home was declared unsafe by city code officials.
The cause of the fire was accidental, likely due to careless smoking, the press release stated.
The American Red Cross assisted the residents to find temporary housing. No injuries were reported.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter.
