House Fire on Hintz Road near Kennicott Avenue in Arlington Heights (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters, and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to a report of a house fire in the block of 700 West Hintz Road in Arlington Heights. While firefighters were en route, responding units received multiple calls from the public reporting visible flames and smoke, prompting the response to be upgraded to a working fire. Upon arrival, first-in companies observed heavy fire at the rear of the building, emanating from the second floor. Residents met firefighters outside and confirmed that all occupants had exited the property and were accounted for.
Unfortunately, two cats remained unaccounted for inside the building. Firefighters launched an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously conducting a thorough search of the premises on the second floor, first floor and basement. These efforts ensured the fire was quickly contained to the second floor and the structure’s exterior rear portion, preventing further spread and limiting property damage, according to the Arlington Heights Fire Department. During the search, fire crews located the two missing cats. Unfortunately, both animals had succumbed to toxic gases when they were unable to escape the blaze.
No civilian injuries were reported, and no firefighters were injured.
According to the residents, they were home and awake when the fire began. They noted that their Wi-Fi suddenly went out, followed by the sound of breaking glass. Upon investigating the noise upstairs, they encountered smoke and immediately evacuated the building before calling 9-1-1. The residents also reported that they were in the process of updating their smoke alarms, and at the time of the fire, the alarms were not operational. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Arlington Heights Fire and Police Fire Investigation Unit.
Arlington Heights firefighters were assisted at the scene by firefighters from the Palatine, Mount Prospect, and Buffalo Grove Fire Departments. Firefighters, paramedics and/or command officers from Schaumburg, Lake Zurich, Prospect Heights, and Glenview provided station coverage for Arlington Heights.
INITIAL REPORT FROM CARDINAL NEWS …
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded just before 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2026 to a house fire in the block of 700 West Hintz Road in Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights firefighters stopped another working fire with quick extinguishing, as they reported a knock on the fire by about 5:55 p.m.
There were no known reported injuries, but there was no confirmation from any officials. The home was occupied at the time of the fire.
Apparently the fire was most intense at the back of the house, and involved a second floor bedroom. Firefighters were still soaking down the back of the house at about 6:30 p.m. There was no visible soot on the front second floor front windows, but the windows appeared to have been broken out for ventilation. There were two main aerial ladders over the roof of the home — one from a Buffalo Grove Tower Ladder truck and one from an Arlington Heights Tower Ladder truck. However, it did not appear that any holes were made in the roof for ventilation.
Firefighters. paramedics, and/or command officers from Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect and Palatine were assigned to the scene to assist Arlington Heights firefighter.
An eyewitness reported seeing a Schaumburg ambulance and a Glenview Fire engine in the area — possibly responding to another call. Another eyewitness reported a Long Grove Fire Protection District ambulance in the area — possibly for fire station coverage. Another eyewitness reported seeing a Wheeling fire engine and a Buffalo Grove ambulance at a crash scene at Dundee Road and Ridge Avenue near Portillo’s about 7:00 p.m.
Hintz Road was closed between Kennicott Avenue and Ridge Avenue (south of Hintz Avenue). Ridge Avenue north of Hintz Road was also closed at Hintz Road.
The “INITIAL REPORT” information in this article was an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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Four citizens submitted eyewitness reports, or reported being aware of the fire. Thank you to these four citizens.
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