A fierce blaze ravaged a two-story residence in Fox River Grove, a northwest suburban area, on Friday afternoon, leaving the structure severely damaged.

The fire initiated within the home and rapidly intensified, spreading swiftly as strong winds fanned the flames, according to fire officials.

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“The fire had engulfed the entire house, with flames visibly protruding from all sides,” stated Robert Kreher, Chief of the Fox River Grove Fire Department.

Chief Kreher reported that when emergency crews arrived at the scene on Grove and Lincoln avenues, the house was already ablaze. They received the distress call shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Fortunately, a man who was inside the house at the time managed to escape without injury. The Red Cross is currently providing aid to him and his family.

The firefighting teams faced several challenges, and it took them hours to fully extinguish the fire.

“It was a wind-driven fire,” Kreher said. “The hydrants here only flow about 500 GPM, so we didn’t have enough water, so I had to bring in tenders. We set up a tender operation, another water supply, then we were able to get this thing under control.”

Firefighters spent the late evening hours tending to hot spots. As for the home, the fire chief says it’s clearly a total loss and will likely have to be demolished.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.