FFs from Five IL Departments Battle Blaze that Destroys Homes

Crews from five Illinois fire departments were needed to put out a blaze that began in a vacant house and spread to a nearby home, destroying both structures and displacing a family early Monday.

The fire broke out just after midnight in an unoccupied house in Cahokia, KSDK-TV reports. Flames jumped to a neighboring house, and a dog living there woke an occupant, who then was able to help other residents escape the blaze.

“I’m just very thankful that my puppy woke us up, because Lord knows what would’ve happened if she didn’t wake us up.," Sarah Hardin told KSDK.

Firefighters from Cahokia, Columbia, Camp Jackson, Dupo and Prairie Du Pont worked to put out the blaze. No one was injured in the fire, and both homes were a complete loss.

"Everything else materialistically we can replace, but I had pictures of my grandfather that passed away in January," Hardin told KSDK. "They are not replaceable."