The DeKalb Fire Department responded to a call of a structural fire that caused an estimated $120,000 in damage at 10:12 a.m. Monday at 8236 Fairview Drive, which makes the third fire this month caused by unconventional methods of heating.

It was determined the fire was caused by the incineration of improper fireplace contents that overheated surrounding materials.

One firefighter received minor injuries, was treated and released the same day from Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 826 Bethany Road. No residents were injured.

“If the fire is too big, it can go up the chimney and get through tiny cracks in the tile or brick,” Russel said. “Or if the fire is too hot, the fire can catch out in front of it just from the radial heat.”

The DeKalb Fire Department also extinguished a Feb. 9 fire caused by the improper use of a fireplace that caused an estimated $40,000 in damage to a house at 12:40 p.m. at 119 S. Eighth St.

There were no injuries to fire fighters or civilians and the fire was put out in 20 minutes.

The high cost of gas and electricity for heating also is a concern because sometimes people try to use their fireplaces to heat their house, he said.

Another fire in DeKalb occurred at 4:14 p.m. Saturday in an apartment at 823 W. Lincoln Highway and caused $3,000 in damage.

Upon investigation, the DeKalb Fire Department determined the fire to be caused by bedding materials left too close to an electric baseboard heater.

“We want to remind people to use common sense when using alternative heating methods in their homes,” Russel said.