Fire officials have determined a basement fire that damaged a Streator home on Tuesday was an accident.
The four residents had gotten out of the house by the time Streator firefighters arrived around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, but the family's hamsters did not survive the smoke. The American Red Cross assisted at the scene and is helping the family.
The home sustained significant smoke damage throughout and extensive fire damage in the basement. The cause has been deemed accidental.
Eleven Streator firefighters were on the scene, and firefighters remained on the scene for about four hours after the fire was out to extinguish hot spots and investigate the cause.
The Streator police, public works and animal control departments, Advanced Medical Transport, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, ComEd and Nicor also assisted at the scene.