Firefighters rescued and revived a small dog that was barely breathing at a fire in North Chicago that left a family of six displaced from their significantly damaged home.
The North Chicago Fire Department and North Chicago Police Department responded around 12:30 p.m. last Thursday to the 1600 block of Glenn Drive in North Chicago for a report of a structure fire.
North Chicago Fire Chief John Umek said some residents were home at the time of the fire and the home’s smoke detectors activated.
Firefighters arrived and encountered heavy smoke coming from the first and second floors of a single-family home.
Three large dogs were removed from the home, Umek said. One of the residents was holding a small dog and there was mention of another small dog whose location was unknown.
Fire crews entered the home with a hose line to make an attack on the fire.
A bedroom was fully engulfed in flames and was quickly extinguished.
Umek said the residence was ventilated of smoke and firefighters “miraculously” located a small dog behind a door in the burned bedroom.
The dog, who was soaking wet and appeared in bad condition, was barely breathing.
The dog was brought outside where firefighters administered oxygen and lifesaving measures, Umek said. The dog has made a full recovery.
No injuries were reported to any firefighters or residents.
The family of six was displaced from the home, which sustained heavy smoke damage throughout, Umek said. It will require major renovations to be livable again.
The American Red Cross was notified to assist the family with alternative arrangements.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the North Chicago Fire Department.