By PAUL DAILING

pdailing@kcchronicle.com

ST. CHARLES -- The inferno towered like a 1970s action film.

It threatened to engulf the area if not for one young woman, Courtney Ahuja. With a steely glare and a fire extinguisher, Ahuja quenched the blaze.

"It felt like a lot of pressure," Ahuja said of handling the extinguisher.

As Ahuja, 9, walked off in triumph, Kaneville Fire Department firefighters lit the conflagration again.

Practicing putting out fires was one of the activities at the second annual Kane County Safe Kids Day, held at the Kane County Fairgrounds on Saturday. The event gave children and parents safety tips and demonstrations on topics including fires, train crossings, bike helmets and crime. About 50 local agencies participated.

"We're trying to make it a fun event for them," volunteer Jan Engelking said.

Kane County Safe Kids, a collaboration between area agencies, mostly hospitals and police and fire departments, sponsored the event. The group formed in 1998 with one goal -- keep kids safe.

That goal was part of the fire demonstration, Kaneville Fire Department firefighter Steve Neely said.

He said children could ensure small blazes do not become large in the at least 10 minutes it takes for an average fire department to respond to a call.

"If something happens around the house, before it breaks out they can get it knocked out," Neely said.

The outdoor "touch-a-truck" area offered a chance to see the inside of fire, police and other emergency vehicles.

Sarah Ryan, 6, of St. Charles, said a tour of a Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District truck was her second look at a fire engine, thanks to a class trip.

However, Ryan said she enjoyed Saturday's tour, as well.

"I had two favorite parts," she said. "The alarm and the seats."

Although many children thrill to the sound of a fire department, why the seats?