2 Crystal Lake homes left uninhabitable by overnight fire

A fire Wednesday morning in Crystal Lake left two residences uninhabitable.

The fire apparently broke out in a garage in a four-unit row of attached homes along Eletson Drive off McHenry Avenue.

Residents and their animals had evacuated when the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The first firefighters arrived in six minutes and saw flames coming from the garage, the department said in a news release.

The fire had spread to the attic, and an adjacent residence also sustained damage, the department said.

The American Red Cross is working with the two displaced families, according to the release.

No firefighters were injured. Crews were assisted by the Algonquin, Huntley, McHenry Township and Woodstock fire departments, along with Crystal Lake police and public works, ComEd and Nicor.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating.