Racine house fire; dog and cat dead, $80,000 in damage
RACINE, Wis. - A fire at a house in Racine on Friday, Dec. 13 caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage and left a cat and a dog dead.
According to the Racine Fire Department, crews responded to a report of a house fire near 16th and Kearney.
Engine 6 arrived within three minutes of dispatch time and saw heavy flames showing out the front and side windows.
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The fire was brought under control within 25 minutes, and total loss was stopped within 56 minutes.
Moderate fire damage was limited to the living room and front porch. The rest of the first floor sustained moderate-to-heavy smoke damage, and the second floor sustained light smoke damage.
No residents or firefighters were injured. A dog and cat were found in the home by fire crews but could not be revived.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but criminal activity is not suspected.
The fire department estimates $59,000 in damage to the structure, and $21,000 in damage to the contents inside.
Importance of smoke and CO detectors
One smoke alarm was found on the second floor, but it is unknown if it was working prior to the fire.
The Racine Fire Department wants to emphasize that working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are recommended to be installed on each level of a home at a minimum. Ideally, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in every room of the home.
According to the Racine Fire Department, working smoke alarms save lives. About three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Fire spreads fast and working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.