
Along with 10 people, a variety of pets were evacuated during a house fire in Downers Grove Sunday morning.
Marsha Giesler, spokeswoman for the fire department, said eight cats, three dogs, two mice, a snake and an iguana survived the blaze that has left the home at 4248 Lindley St. damaged. One person was taken to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. The person was treated for smoke inhalation and was released.
No one else was reported injured.
“There were no working smoke detectors in the house,” Giesler said. “They were just very lucky ... for that many people to make it out.”
The fire began in the single-family home around 2:30 a.m. and was extinguished by firefighters 30 minutes later.
Responding to a 911 call, firefighters arrived with heavy smoke coming from the front door, and fire was visible through a front window.
The fire was caused by a window air conditioning unit, fire officials said. Property damage is estimated at $30,000 and $10,000 in personal belongings.
The Downers Grove Fire Department was assisted by the Lisle-Woodridge, Oak Brook and Westmont fire departments.
According to the Downers Grove Township Assessor’s Office, Jessica Joynt is listed as the current property owner.
Giesler said it was not known if the people in the home at the time of the fire were all related.


