A resident sustained a minor injury after a home was significantly damaged by a fire Jan. 23 near the intersection of Kirk and Hill roads in unincorporated Geneva Township.

The Geneva Fire Department was dispatched at midnight to a two-story, single-family home for a report of a structure fire.

Upon arrival, Geneva fire companies found heavy fire coming from the rear of the home and a second-floor window. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) response was activated to request additional resources. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about one hour.

All the occupants of the home had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews. One resident suffered a minor burn, was evaluated by paramedics, and then declined further medical attention after signing a medical release.

The preliminary cause of the fire was determined to be the careless use of smoking materials in a first-floor bedroom. Fire, smoke and water damage were extensive, and the home was declared uninhabitable.

Firefighters from St. Charles, Batavia, Elburn, West Chicago, Fermilab, North Aurora, South Elgin, Winfield, and Carol Stream assisted Geneva crews at the scene.

The Elgin Fire Department and the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District provided coverage at Geneva’s fire stations during the incident.

Additional support was provided by the Geneva Emergency Management Agency, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Office of Emergency Management, Red Cross, ComEd, and Nicor Gas.