A family was displaced from their home after a fire broke out and quickly engulfed the house in Highland Park, resulting in two of their cats going missing, authorities said.
The Highland Park Fire Department and Highland Park Police Department responded around 7:37 p.m. Friday to the 1700 block of Heather Lane for a report of a structure fire.
Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage said firefighters were leaving one of their stations to respond when they saw a smoke header and upgraded the incident to bring additional resources to the scene.
Firefighters arrived in five minutes and found heavy flames showing from the open front door of the split-level house, extending to a broken second-floor window.
Heavy fire was also venting from a propane tank in the rear of the home, Schrage said.
Fire crews used a deck gun on their engine to flow a high volume of water quickly onto the fire.
Schrage said additional firefighters pulled a hose line and knocked down the majority of the fire.
Fire crews made entry to the home with the hose line to continue extinguishing the fire and to search for anyone inside.
Firefighters also made several holes in the roof of the home as part of ventilation efforts, Schrage said.
Firefighters reported having water on the fire within six minutes of arrival and the fire was under control within 18 minutes of arrival.
Schrage said firefighters performed a “great coordinated attack” on the blaze but noted that the fire was already well advanced when firefighters arrived.
The residents were home at the time and had evacuated from the home prior to the fire department arriving.
The fire, which began inside the home, was deemed to be accidental and the family was left displaced, Schrage said.
The residence sustained significant damage throughout. All of the contents were destroyed.
Schrage said no injuries were reported to any residents or firefighters. Two cats were inside and reported missing.
The Glencoe, Buffalo Grove, Countryside, Deerfield, Glenview, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Northbrook and Northfield fire departments responded to the scene or covered Highland Park fire stations during the incident.