Honda Odyssey fire in condo parking lot in Mallard Cove on South New Wilke Road in Arlington Heights (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters, and paramedics from Arlington Heights and firefighters from Mount Prospect responded about 11:40 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2026 to a report of a vehicle fire in the block of 1200 South New Wilke Road in Arlington Heights at Mallard Cove.
Arlington Heights police were first on the scene, and then a Mount Prospect fire engine crew was the first fire unit on the scene. An Arlington Heights police officer attempted to extinguish the fire that apparently began in the engine compartment, but the fire extinguisher only knocked down the flames for a short time.
Using a hose line, the Mount Prospect Fire Department firefighters extinguished the fire involving a 2016 Honda Odyssey minivan. The fire apparently began in the engine compartment and spread to the passenger compartment before being extinguished. The fire also damaged a 2023 red Toyota Highlander SUV, melting the tailgate, rear fender and a tail light.
Two other vehicles may have also sustained damage. Two vehicles were rescued from further damage by two men who quickly drove their vehicles away from the burning Honda Odyssey. There were no injuries reported.
The owner said he arrived in the parking lot and parked the Honda Odyssey about one hour before the fire started. He had been talking to some people in a garage just a few feet away from the Honda Odyssey when he heard a pop like a shot, and then he saw flames and smoke coming from the Honday Odyssey.
Accountability and Transparency
The fire was quickly extinguished by the Mount Prospect firefighters. Arlington Heights Fire Department responded with a fire engine, tower ladder, rescue squad, and the Battalion Chief. Initially, it is unknown why Mount Prospect reached the fire scene first before all of the Arlington Heights fire units, because Arlington Heights Fire Department dispatch communications are encrypted and cannot be monitored. Additionally, Arlington Heights Fire Department does not provide any radio feed or live or delayed dispatch text information. Apparently, Arlington Heights Fire Department was on another assigned emergency call or other duty assignment. It is also unknown why Rolling Meadows Fire Department, which is often normally first on the scene at Mallard Cove from nearby Rolling Meadows Fire Station 15, was not assigned to the fire at Mallard Cove. All three fire departments (Arlington Heights Fire Department, Mount Prospect Fire Department, and Rolling Meadows Fire Department) have used encrypted fire radios since October 2025, which prevents fire department accountability and transparency, and obstructs real-time access to public safety emergencies in our neighborhoods.
Initially it is unknown if Mount Prospect Fire Engine 12 was in the fire station when it was assigned, or if the vehicle was operating as a fire engine with a different number; however, fire station 12 is located at 1601 West Golf Road in Mount Prospect, and is 2.8 miles from the Mallard Cove fire scene address.
Mount Prospect Fire Station 11, at 1415 East Algonquin Road, in Mt Prospect, is 3.7 miles from the Malard Cove fire scene address.
Mount Prospect Fire Station 13, at 111 East Rand Road in Mount Prospect, is 5 miles from the Mallard Cove fire scene address.
Rolling Meadows Fire Station 15, at 3201 Algonquin Rd, Rolling Meadows is 1 mile from the Mallard Cove fire scene address.
Rolling Meadows Fire Station 16, at 2340 Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows is 2.8 miles from the Mallard Cove fire scene address.
The two closest Arlington Heights fire stations are Fire Station 3 and Fire Station 1.
Arlington Heights Fire Station 3, at 2000 South Arlington Heights Road is 2.1 miles from the Mallard Cove fire scene address.
Arlington Heights Fire Station 1, at 300 East Sigwalt Street is 2.9 miles from the Mallard Cove fire scene address.
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Arlington Heights Police Department and Fire Department Dispatch is encrypted and cannot be monitored. Most incidents in Arlington Heights will only be published as breaking news thanks to dedicated and supportive citizens.
Four citizens submitted eyewitness reports. Thank you to these four citizens.
In addition to the four citizens, each providing a tip that there was a fire at Mallard Cove, two other citizens provided excellent video, and a total of four citizens provided verbal scene documentation of the fire response and the fire scene.
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The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities or witness on the scene.
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