Pets killed in South Elgin condo fire

The cause of a South Elgin fire that damaged three condominium units and killed two cats does not appear suspicious, authorities said Thursday.

Firefighters from the South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District responded to the fire about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday in the first unit of an eight-unit complex on the 300 block of South Collins Street, officials said.

There were no injuries from the fire, which was contained to a small utility room in one unit. But smoke affected the entire unit, as well as a vacant residence above it. A third unit took on water damage, officials said.

In all, the blaze caused about $23,000 in damage, said Assistant Fire Chief Bert Lancaster.

No one was home in the unit where the fire began except for the cats, which died of smoke inhalation, Lancaster said.

Officials still are investigating the cause of the fire, but have ruled out arson.

Residents were evacuated during the fire, but allowed to return to the building's other six apartments last night. The unit where the fire started remained uninhabitable.

Daily Herald Staff Writer Lenore T. Adkins contributed to this report.