Three people are in the hospital after a basement fire in a home on Normal Avenue in Normal Thursday morning.
The Normal Fire Department responded to 702 Normal Ave. at 7:50 a.m. to the report of fire in the basement of the home. The caller was reporting thick smoke throughout the home and as trying to get the other occupants to evacuate.
Firefighters arrived a few minutes later and reported heavy smoke conditions showing from the outside of the home. All of the occupants had evacuated just prior to the fire department arriving. Firefighters made entry into the home and began putting out the fire. They used two hose lines to bring the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes.
Ameren also responded to the scene to secure the electrical service to the home.
The Normal Water Department responded as well, to shut off the water service to the home, since heat from the fire melted portions of the plumbing in the basement which resulted in uncontrolled flooding.
Paramedics at the scene transported three occupants to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and smoke inhalation. None of the injuries are considered to be life-threatening.
The fourth occupant was out walking the dog when the fire broke out and returned home shortly after the fire was reported. Firefighters located two kittens inside the home during a search of the second floor and were able to remove them from the home safely.
They were treated for smoke inhalation with pet oxygen masks and then returned to the homeowner.
There is extensive damage to the basement level of the home from fire, smoke and water, and smoke damage throughout the main and upper story of the home. There is no damage estimate available at this time.
NFD Investigators deemed the fire accidental in nature and determined that it originated in a bedroom in the basement level of the home.
