This from Larry Shapiro:

Just before 7PM, the Lake Zurich Fire Department received a report of a house fire in the 26000 block of N. Fairfield Road in Hawthorn Woods. The first engine on scene reported smoke and fire from a two-story vacant frame house. Companies were instructed to remain outside of the structure and initiate a defensive attack. A box alarm was struck and the 2nd engine laid a supply line from the long gravel driveway to the street to prepare for tanker operations. A 2nd alarm for tankers only was requested shortly thereafter and the fire was largely knocked down quickly. Companies made a search of the building but it was deemed unsafe to remain inside to fully extinguish the fire and perform overhaul.  A decision was made to standby outside as the fire grew and eventually demolished the structure.

The fire department was called to the same address less than a year ago for a fire in another vacant structure on the same property.

Four tankers responded and shuttled water to sustain hand lines used at various times throughout the 3+ hour incident. Companies on the scene included all four engines from Lake Zurich, a truck from Wauconda, engines from Palatine, Long Grove, Fox River Grove, and Palatine Rural (they were due with a tanker which is currently out of service). Tankers came from Cary, Fox Lake, Round Lake, and Nunda. Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Barrington, and Libertyville had ambulances on the scene along with the MESS Canteen.

The 2nd alarm was struck out after 2 1/2 hours, although companies remained on the scene and began to extinguish the remaining fire and begin overhaul after that.

I have photos and video showing the progression of the fire which eventually involved the whole house. Here are a few images with more to follow plus the video.

Two Lake Zurich engines prepare for the arrival of tenders to setup a water shuttle. Larry Shapiro photo

Long hose lay down the driveway. Larry Shapiro photo

House after the initial fire was knocked down. Larry Shapiro photo

Fire begins to grow on the second floor. Larry Shapiro photo

Fire spreads throughout the second floor and attic. Larry Shapiro photo

View of Sector C fully involved before the collapse. Larry Shapiro photo

The front of the house after the roof collapsed. Larry Shapiro photo

Heavy fire extends to Sector D. Larry Shapiro photo

Fire consumes the entire first floor. A small fire devil (fire tornado) can be seen in the upper left corner. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery with more images can be found HERE.

Tags: fire engine drafting from portable tank, firefighters let vacant house burn, house fire in Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich Fire Department, Larry Shapiro, portable tank at fire scene, tanker shuttle at fire scene, vacant house burns to the ground in Hawthorn Woods, vacant house too dangerous for firefighters to enter