More than 80 people displaced by Elgin fire

The American Red Cross is assisting more than 80 people who were displaced by a fire in a residential building early Wednesday in northwest suburban Elgin.

Just after 3 a.m., firefighters responded to the the building at 5 Times Square for a report of smoke in the building’s laundry room, according to the Elgin Fire Department.

A small fire was found below the furnace room in a crawl space, the department said. Access to the crawl space required cutting through a concrete floor. The fire was under control within 45 minutes of firefighters’ arrival.

Smoke that traveled through the building’s ventilation system required 110 residents to leave the building, the department said. One resident who required a ventilation machine was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center.

No injuries were reported and the damage was estimated at $10,000, the department said.

Dozens of families were displaced due to the smoke damage, according to a statement from the American Red Cross. A reception center is open through Wednesday evening at a nearby facility to help provide food, a safe place to stay and emotional support.