Woman flown to hospital with 'life-threatening injuries' after Algonquin house fire

A woman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a fire at her home Thursday afternoon.

The Algonquin – Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District was dispatched for a structure fire at 55 Alice Lane in Algonquin at 3:02 p.m., Deputy Fire Chief John Knebl said.

While crews were on their way to the scene, fire dispatch told them the house still might be occupied.

Fire crews arriving on the scene found a ranch home with heavy fire coming from the front of it.

Crews initiated an aggressive interior attack while simultaneously searching for the resident inside the home, Knebl said.

Knebl said crews encountered a difficult search for the woman because of hoarder-like conditions of the home, as well as the large volume of smoke and fire.

The victim was found and taken to Northwestern Huntley Hospital in serious condition. From there, the woman was airlifted to Loyola Hospital. Her current condition was unknown Thursday evening.

No firefighters were injured.

The Algonquin – Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District asked for mutual aid for the fire. They were aided by the Algonquin Police Department, Cary Fire Protection District, Carpentersville Fire Department, East Dundee Fire Protection District, Palatine Fire Department, McHenry Fire Protection District, Huntley Fire Protection District, Crystal Lake Fire Department, Barrington-Countryside and Fox River Grove Fire Protection District.

The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District still was on the scene at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, although the fire had long been out.

The cause of the fire is being investigated with assistance from the Office of the State Fire Marshall. A monetary damage estimate was not available Thursday, but Battalion Chief John Greene of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District said the house is a total loss.

No pets were involved in the fire, Greene added.

Information on the woman’s identity was not immediately available Thursday night.