'Careless Use Of Smoking Materials' Causes Fire At Geneva Township Home:

GENEVA, IL — A resident sustained a minor injury Friday after their Geneva Township home was significantly damaged by a fire, officials said.

The Geneva Fire Department was dispatched at midnight to a reported fire at a two-story, single-family home near Kirk and Hill roads. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a heavy fire coming from the rear of the house and a second-floor window.

Investigators cited "the careless use of smoking materials in a first-floor bedroom" as the preliminary cause of the fire, which was brought under control in about an hour.

Fire, smoke and water damage were "extensive," and the home was deemed uninhabitable, officials said.

All residents evacuated before crews arrived. One resident suffered a minor burn, was evaluated by paramedics and declined further medical attention, according to a news release.

Firefighters from St. Charles, Batavia, Elburn, West Chicago, Fermilab, North Aurora, South Elgin, Winfield and Carol Stream assisted Geneva crews at the scene, while the Elgin and Sugar Grove fire departments provided coverage.

The Geneva Emergency Management Agency, Kane County Sheriff's Office, Kane County Office of Emergency Management, Red Cross, ComEd and Nicor Gas all also helped at the scene.