Joliet duplex home damaged by fire

A duplex home in the 2200 block of Beechwood in Joliet was damaged by fire Monday evening.

The Joliet Fire Department responded at 5:15 p.m and the first crews arriving were met with heavy black smoke and fire coming from the first floor windows of Unit A, according to a news release from the fire department.

The fire had started on the first floor and spread into the attic, according to the release.

Crews were sent to the roof to ventilate the building, while other crews went inside to extinguish the fire, according to the release.

Unit A suffered heavy fire, smoke and water damage but the fire was extinguished before it spread to the adjoining Unit B, according to the release.

Unit B, however, did suffer smoke and heavy water damage.

Occupants of both units were able to get out of the duplex prior to the fire department’s arrival, however two dogs were rescued from inside Unit B during the fire, according to the release.

The fire was declared under control at 6 p.m. and crews remained on the scene for 90 minutes extinguishing hot spots and checking for extension, according to the release.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the release.