Dog dies in Wheaton apartment fire

A small dog was killed Tuesday morning when fire struck an apartment building at 5 Wheaton Center in Wheaton, firefighters said.

Authorities said they believe the fire was accidental and may have been caused by a floor fan. Investigators are uncertain if the fire was sparked by an electrical malfunction or an overheated motor.

Firefighters said they responded about 9 a.m. to find the blaze in a second-floor apartment on the west side of the building. The fire was brought under control within minutes.

The unit where the fire began was unoccupied at the time except for two dogs, but occupants of many other apartments in the large building either escaped unharmed or were able to stay safely inside their units.

The small dog that perished lived in the unit where the fire began. Another dog from the same unit was rescued, firefighters said.

Authorities said there was smoke damage to the second and third floors of the building.

The apartment where the fire began is uninhabitable, but other residents were able to move back into unaffected units.

Damage estimates were not available Tuesday.