Firefighters save family's cat in Bartlett

Bartlett firefighters saved a family's pet cat from a blaze Monday afternoon, but the fire left the family homeless.

Firefighters responded to the two-story, single-family home on the 200 block of Buckingham Drive about 12:30 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the roof, said Batallion Chief Ralph DeFreece.

The fire caused an estimated $350,000 in damage, he said.

"Much of the damage happened to the roof and then throughout both stories," DeFreece said. "From the basement to the roof."

The homeowners were home at the time the fire started and were able to escape, DeFreece said, but they were unable to find their pet cat.

Firefighters went into the home and located the cat, which is being treated at a local veterinary office.

Neighboring departments that assisted were: Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Fox River Countryside, Hanover Park, Streamwood, South Elgin, West Chicago, Hoffman Estates, St. Charles and Winfield.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.