Tuesday, January 13, 2015

FIRE DAMAGES ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS HOME, PETS BELIEVED DEAD



FIRE DAMAGES ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS HOME, PETS BELIEVED DEAD




Carla Buttram puts a blanket around her granddaughter, Jasmine Hernanez, as they and Junior Olivares watch their house burn in Rock Island on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Rock Island firefighters responded to the house fire at 604 6th St. around 3:30 p.m. One person was asleep inside at the time of the fire but escaped after being alerted by a smoke detector. At least two pets are believed to have died in the fire.


ROCK ISLAND -- A Tuesday afternoon fire on the city's northwest side is believed to have claimed a family's pets. 


Firefighters were notified around 3:30 p.m. when a passerby noticed smoke in the rear of the home at 604 6th St., Rock Island Fire Marshal Greg Marty said.


A woman and her two children live in the home, he said. One person was in the home, asleep, but escaped after being warned by a smoke detector.


Several pets also were in the house, Mr. Marty said. One dog was rescued, but at least a cat and dog are believed to have been killed in the fire. 


As of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mr. Marty said he had not yet inspected the home as firefighters worked on the interior. However, initial reports indicated significant damage inside, with the fire possibly starting in or near the kitchen. 


A relative of the family said the fire may have been caused by a box on the stove that was ignited by a pilot light.


The one-and-a-half story home is covered with light brown vinyl siding. On Tuesday afternoon, its outer walls appeared intact, but fire that escaped through windows or doors melted siding and blackened portions of the exterior, particularly on the west side of the home. 


The Red Cross had been notified of the fire, Mr. Marty said.