Video shows smoke on arrival, the ladder tower at the roof, the use of a thermal imaging camera to detect fire, and shows the roof ventilation hole in the rear roof of the home.
Arlington Heights Fire Department quickly knocked down a fire in the second-story ceiling and attic of a large two-story home Saturday at about 4:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of north Kennicott Avenue [MAP/SAT].
A second-floor smoke detector alerted the homeowners of a fire upstairs, located in a bathroom on the north side of the house. Flames were visible in the upstairs bathroom. A stiff east northeast wind (10-13 mph) extended the fire rapidly toward the southern areas of the upstairs attic. Smoke was rolling from the eaves and roof area when firefighters arrived. A small hole was also burned through to the outside on the north side of the house.
Arlington Heights fire command sent the truck company to the roof, while engine company firefighters knocked the fire down with an interior attack. A power saw was used to ventilate the roof in the rear of the home. The thick dark smoke was quickly changed to white smoke as the fire was extinguished, but some stubborn flames persisted in the interior on roof rafters, according to reports from the interior crews to the command vehicle and fire chief.
Rolling Meadows and Palatine fire departments assisted Arlington Heights Fire Department on the fire scene. No injuries were reported.