Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Fully Engulfed Garage Fire in Gurnee

Rapid response prevents significant damage to nearby home

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire in unincorporated Gurnee on Sunday evening and found a detached garage fully engulfed in flames just five feet from a nearby house. The firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, preventing substantial damage to the home.

Why it matters

Garage fires that threaten nearby structures are a serious public safety concern, as they can quickly spread and cause extensive property damage. The firefighters' swift response and effective firefighting tactics in this case likely saved the home from significant harm.

The details

When firefighters arrived, they found the detached garage fully engulfed in flames. They quickly pulled two hose lines and brought the fire under control within about seven minutes. A Working Still Alarm was requested, bringing in additional apparatus from nearby fire departments to assist. The home, located just five feet from the garage, only sustained minor damage and remained habitable.

  • Firefighters responded around 7:40 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Gurnee Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the call and quickly extinguished the garage fire.

Nick Perry

Gurnee Battalion Fire Chief who praised the quick actions of the first arriving firefighters.

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What they’re saying

“The first crew arriving – Engine 132 – they did very well.”

— Nick Perry, Gurnee Battalion Fire Chief (Lake and McHenry County Scanner)

What’s next

Fire investigators will return to the scene on Monday to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

The takeaway

The rapid response and effective firefighting tactics of the Gurnee Fire Department prevented a potentially devastating garage fire from causing significant damage to the nearby home, highlighting the importance of well-trained and equipped emergency responders in protecting public safety.