Area Firefighters Injured in Crystal Lake Blaze

A numbers of fire departments had to be called in to battle a fire at a two-story home Wednesday.

Crystal Lake Fire Rescue were called to 1344 Gardina Vista Ln. in Crystal Lake (originally reported as 1348 Gardina Vista by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue) at about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday after a passerby reported a garage fire.

The garage fire spread to the two-story home, engulfing the stairs, which caused firefighters to battle the blaze from the outside, according to fire rescue.

A photo gallery of the house fire is available here.

The home was unoccupied at the time, and had been reported to have been vacant for the past two years.

Because of the extreme heat wave the area is experiencing, additional departments were called in to assist. Crews were rotated frequently to prevent heat exhaustion, according to fire rescue.

Two firefighters sustained injuries while battling the fire, including a Crystal Lake firefighter who was transported via Flight-For-Life McHenry to a Level 1 trauma center, according to fire rescue. The firefighter sustained the injury while working on a ladder. The injuries appeared to be non-life threatening.

A Huntley firefighter was treated at the scene and released after suffering heat-related symptoms.

The fire was under control by 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Damage is estimated at over $100,000.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire departments responding to assist Crystal Lake were Algonquin/Lake in the Hills, McHenry, Cary, Nunda, Huntley, Lakewood, East Dundee, Wonder Lake, Fox River Grove, Carpentersville, Woodstock, Barrington, Marengo, Lake Zurich, Wauconda, Rutland Dundee, Spring Grove and Pingree Grove.