Family displaced, 3 dogs die in Gurnee fire

A Christmas Eve fire killed three dogs and left a Gurnee family displaced, according to fire officials.

The Gurnee Fire Department responded to a report of a single-family home on fire on the 4900 block of Ridge Drive shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Monday, according to Battalion Chief John Skillman.

A total of 28 firefighters, including some from the Newport and Waukegan Fire Departments, came to the scene. When crews arrived there was heavy fire coming from the front and back of the house, Skillman said. The residents were not home at the time, he said.

The scene was cleared by 9:50 p.m. The estimated damage to the house, which had an attached garage, was about $132,000 and estimated damage to the contents of the house was about $99,000, Skillman said.

“It’s certainly unlivable,” he said, adding that the three dogs were found upon a search of the house.

Skillman said it is believed the fire may have started by the home’s stove, but the cause is still under investigation.