News Reports

Dryer fire damages local apartment

Elgin

Firefighters responded at 3:09 p.m. Saturday to a small apartment fire at the 1200 block of Hemlock Lane on the city's east side, said Elgin Fire Lt. Dave Schmidt.

No one was home at the time of the fire. However, neighbors who smelled smoke and then saw the smoke coming from the apartment door called for help, according to reports.

When firefighters arrived, they found a fire in the clothes dryer, which was left running unattended, Schmidt said.
The flames were extinguished in about 10 minutes, according to reports. There were no injuries.

The fire was contained to the clothes dryer, but there was smoke damage throughout the apartment, Schmidt said.
According to reports, damage was estimated at $2,500.

$125,000 damage in plastics plant fire

Firefighters responded to a commercial oven fire at Suburban Plastics Company on the 300 block of Renner Drive about at 6:53 a.m. Friday, according to Elgin Fire Lt. Dave Schmidt.

The department responded with three engines, one ladder truck, an ambulance and the battalion chief, according to reports.

Within about five minutes of arriving on the scene, the fire was under control. Firefighters remained on the scene for 20 more minutes to ventilate the building, Schmidt said.

The fire was contained in the large oven, but there was a delay in notification as the building's occupants first tried to extinguish the flames themselves, Schmidt said.

There were no injuries. Damage to the building and the oven was estimated at $125,000, according to reports.
Police investigate gang graffiti report

Responding to a call of criminal damage to property Friday morning on Division Street, police found gang-related messages spray painted on a trailer, and on a nearby fence and garage, according to reports.

Police arrived at a parking lot on the 300 block of Division Street about 7:05 a.m. Friday where an employee told police he noticed a trailer belonging to his boss had been spray painted, police said

The employee said he noticed the damage Friday morning and suspected that it was spray painted overnight Thursday, according to reports.

Police said the trailer parked behind a building on the 300 block of Division Street, had graffiti on the right side and the rear.

According to reports, the markings appeared to be gang-related with a street gang's name painted next to some of the symbols.

The victim said it also was possible that a truck belonging to the owner of the building on the 300 block of Division Street was spray painted as well, police said.

The officer on the scene noticed some letters painted on that vehicle's hood and a symbol painted on the passenger-side door, according to reports.

A crown also had been spray painted on a wooden fence surrounding the trash bins behind the building on the 300 block of Division Street, police said.

While leaving the scene, the officer noticed similar symbols spray painted on a garage south east of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, also located on Division Street, according to reports.

Police said the garage belongs to the church.