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While the cat was saved, a fire that engulfed a Downers Grove house has left a family without a home.
The Southworth family has moved in with family members since the blaze Saturday after escaping with nothing more than pajamas.
The fire was reported at about 11:15 p.m. in the 4700 block of Main Street and lasted for about an hour, according to the Downers Grove Fire Department. No injuries were reported, but a family cat was rescued, according to reports.
The fire started when a candle ignited a curtain that then spread to a live Christmas tree.
The Fire Department arrived to the two-story single-family home where the first floor was already fully engulfed by fire, said Marsha Giesler, public information officer for the Downers Grove Fire Department.
The homeowner tried to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher at first when a candle caught a curtain on fire that then ignited a live Christmas tree, according to Giesler.
Firefighters went inside to attack the interior fire but were stopped when power lines dropped onto the house, Giesler said. Commonwealth Edison crews had to come out to cut the power.
At 12:10 a.m., the fire had spread quickly inside and firefighters were forced outside to fight the blaze with an exterior attack, according to Giesler.
Damage is estimated at more than $400,000 to the property and at least $50,000 in contents, Giesler said.
Orchard Brook Homeowners association has come together to help the family by collecting gift cards and cash donations. The association is looking to purchase Target, Visa, Jewel and Yorktown gift cards for the family.
While the cat was saved, a fire that engulfed a Downers Grove house has left a family without a home.
The Southworth family has moved in with family members since the blaze Saturday after escaping with nothing more than pajamas.
The fire was reported at about 11:15 p.m. in the 4700 block of Main Street and lasted for about an hour, according to the Downers Grove Fire Department. No injuries were reported, but a family cat was rescued, according to reports.
The fire started when a candle ignited a curtain that then spread to a live Christmas tree.
The Fire Department arrived to the two-story single-family home where the first floor was already fully engulfed by fire, said Marsha Giesler, public information officer for the Downers Grove Fire Department.
The homeowner tried to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher at first when a candle caught a curtain on fire that then ignited a live Christmas tree, according to Giesler.
Firefighters went inside to attack the interior fire but were stopped when power lines dropped onto the house, Giesler said. Commonwealth Edison crews had to come out to cut the power.
At 12:10 a.m., the fire had spread quickly inside and firefighters were forced outside to fight the blaze with an exterior attack, according to Giesler.
Damage is estimated at more than $400,000 to the property and at least $50,000 in contents, Giesler said.
Orchard Brook Homeowners association has come together to help the family by collecting gift cards and cash donations. The association is looking to purchase Target, Visa, Jewel and Yorktown gift cards for the family.
