A residence on the 600 block of Oakton Street in Park Ridge, across the street from Emerson Middle School in Niles, sustained about $475,000 worth of damage in a fire Saturday, the Park Ridge Fire Department said.
The cause of the fire was ruled accidental, according to a statement from the department.
The owner of the home was present when the fire started at the back of the residence, but nobody else was there, per a news release from the department.
One firefighter sustained a minor burn injury, the department said, and was expected to recover.
Park Ridge was assisted at the fire by the Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Niles, North Maine and Prospect Heights Fire Departments. Additionally, the Park Ridge fire stations were staffed by mutual aid crews from the Morton Grove, Schiller Park, and Wheeling Fire Departments and the Rosemont Public Safety Department.
A relative of the family who lived in the home has started to organize on social media to find the displaced family temporary housing.
