8 Pets Killed In House Fire On Aurora's Near East Side: Officials

AURORA, IL — Eight pets were found dead in a fire that erupted Monday evening at a house on Aurora's near east side, according to officials at the Aurora Fire Department.

Firefighters from Central Station were dispatched at 5:10 p.m. to a one-and-a-half-story, wood-framed structure in the 400 block of Center Avenue. A total of four engines, two trucks, two medics and two battalion chiefs responded.

Aurora police officers were the first to arrive on the scene and told firefighters one resident safely exited but indicated the family's pets were still inside the house.

Engine Company crews stretched a hand line through the back door and descended the basement stairs to locate and extinguish the fire, which took about 15 minutes. At the same time, Truck Company crews searched the upper floors for fire extension.

Officials said while searching for victims, firefighters found three dogs, one cat and four rabbits dead. No other residents were home at the time of the fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.

The home was deemed uninhabitable. No firefighters or civilians reported injuries, according to a news release.