Firefighters rescue three cats, one dog in Villa Park fire

Villa Park firefighters rescued three cats and a dog from a house Monday night while battling a blaze in the one-car attached garage on the 500 block of East Park Boulevard, authorities said.

Fire Chief Ron Rakosnik said crews arrived shortly after 10 p.m. to find the garage fully involved in fire. He said firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze within about 15 minutes.

The fire was contained to the garage, he said, but there was some smoke and water damage to the one-story frame house. No one was home at the time.

Firefighters entered the house to make sure the fire had not spread, he said, and found a dog and two cats during their initial search. A third cat was found during a follow-up search.

No injuries were reported.

Rakosnik estimated damage was between $20,000 and $30,000. The cause of the fire has not been determined, he said, and is being investigated by the Villa Park police and fire departments.

Crews from Lombard, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace and York Center assisted.