No one was injured and a pet cat was rescued during a house fire in Aurora Friday that left the home uninhabitable, the Aurora Fire Department said on Monday.
At around 6:55 a.m. on Friday, the Aurora Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 400 block of Wilder Street, a news release from the department said.
Upon arrival, crews found a working fire in the attic and chimney area of a 2½-story single-family home, the news release said. Crews advanced hose lines to the upper floors and attic as truck company personnel performed ventilation operations, department officials said.
Amid the response, firefighters observed the chimney leaning toward the center of the home and, in response, temporarily transitioned to a defensive strategy as a safety precaution, the department said. After conditions improved, crews re-entered the structure to complete overhaul and extinguishing.
The fire had initially been dispatched as a box alarm for a structure fire, but was ultimately upgraded to a third alarm based on observed conditions and as crews worked to bring it under control, the news release said. Six engine companies, three truck companies, three medic units and three chief officers — for a total of 36 personnel in all — responded to the scene.
No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported, according to the department. Two adult residents had self-evacuated prior to firefighters arriving, and a pet cat was rescued from the home. The residence was ultimately deemed uninhabitable due to the fire damage.
Additionally, the roadway near the home remained closed for several hours due to equipment on scene, the release said. The Aurora Emergency Management Agency provided assistance until the roadway was reopened.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the fire department said.
