From the McHenry Township Fire Protection District:
Bayview Lane
On January 24, 2026, at approximately 2:11 a.m., the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD) responded to a reported structure fire in the 3300 block of N. Bayview Lane in unincorporated McHenry County.
Crews arrived within ten minutes and found a fully engulfed single-family dwelling with fire extending to a detached garage.
A neighbor advised crews that the occupants were not home.
Due to extreme weather conditions, limited access to the home, lack of fire hydrants, and the amount of fire, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the Box Alarm Level, bringing in water tankers and additional manpower.
Crews took a defensive stance and endured wind chills of -30 degrees for nearly three hours as they fought the fire.
The MTFPD received assistance either on scene or at our fire stations from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, Antioch, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox Lake, Hebron, Nunda, Richmond, Round Lake, Salem Lakes, Spring Grove, Twin Lakes, Wauconda, Wonder Lake, and Woodstock fire departments.
Crews were able to save a nearby garage with several cars inside.
The primary residence is a complete loss.
No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.
The fire is currently under investigation by the MTFPD.
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