Villa Park man injured, cats killed in garage fire

A Villa Park man was injured and at least three cats killed Sunday night as the resident attempted to extinguish a fire in his garage on the 1100 block of North Yale Avenue.

Fire Chief Ronald Rakosnik said his crews responded about 10:40 p.m. to find the three-car garage, its second-story living area and an adjoining four-seasons room engulfed in flames.

Rakosnik said he believes the injured man, 65-year-old Robert Ciske, knows what caused the blaze, but firefighters have not yet been able to talk him.

Ciske was released from Elmhurst Memorial Hospital early Monday after being treated for smoke inhalation.

"The second-story living quarters had a heavy concentration of fire and the way it was compartmentalized made it difficult for us to get to every room from the outside," Rakosnik said. "The main part of the garage was not too bad, but we're not entirely sure of the structural integrity of the garage at this time."

Rakosnik said Ciske saw the fire and first tried to extinguish it with a garden hose, When he discovered the hose was frozen, he tried unsuccessfully to use several fire extinguishers.

"When that didn't work, we believe he ran inside and told his wife to call 911. By the time he got back outside it had just really taken off and spread," Rakosnik said. "We tell people to call us first, then make an attempt, if you can do so without injuring yourself or others. But always call us first."

Crews from several fire departments assisted and were on the scene for three hours into early Monday morning.