2 rescued in Streator fire

Two Streator residents were rescued by firefighters Tuesday morning from the second floor of a burning house.

Firefighters used a ladder rescue to remove two adults who were trapped in the home at 43 Stanton Place. They were taken to OSF Center for Health-Streator as a precaution.

A closed bedroom door saved the residents' lives, the fire department said in a news release. The door prevented smoke from entering the bedroom and allowed the residents to evacuate to the roof of the home. The residents exited the window onto the roof as firefighters placed a ladder to move them to safety.

The Streator Fire Department responded at 9:40 a.m. to heavy smoke and fire with assistance from Grand Ridge, Reading and Ottawa firefighters, said Fire Chief Gary Bird. Firefighters used a process called vent-enter-search, in which firefighters create openings or break windows to gain access to the house.

Three dogs were found dead and a cat was found alive and rescued, the fire department said.

The fire was controlled in about a half hour, Bird said. The house had heavy smoke damage and the kitchen had heavy fire damage. The American Red Cross assisted the residents.

Bird said he is uncertain how the fire started as of Tuesday afternoon, but the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal was called to assist because the fire involved possible injuries. Bird said, however, the fire is not considered suspicious. He said the residents were alerted of the fire by smoke detectors. The fire marshal has yet to determine a cause, the fire department said in its release Tuesday evening.

“We’re thankful we were able to get them out,” Bird said.

Streator ambulance, Streator police, Vermilion Valley Dispatch, ComEd, Nicor and Illinois American Water also assisted.