McHENRY – A visitor emerged as a hero in a fire that ravaged a McHenry town house and killed two pets.

Navy Capt. Tony Kucia, stationed in Port Hueneme, Calif., was visiting his brother and family two buildings down from 534 Legend Lane, where the fire started late Wednesday. Family members saw the flames and called 911. Without thinking about it, Kucia, grabbed his shoes and coat, and ran outside.

The fire is believed to have started accidentally in the garage of one of two middle units in a four-unit building, said Battalion Chief Mike Majercik of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District. Firefighters arrived shortly after 9 p.m. to find heavy smoke and flames pouring from the town house.