One cat was found dead following a Monday afternoon La Salle house fire.
Fire departments were called just before 12:30 p.m. to the 1½-story house at 1571 N. Joliet St., La Salle where heavy smoke billowed with flames showing.
La Salle fire chief Andy Bacidore said the house was a total loss, but no humans were injured. Homeowner Paul Faletti said he wasn’t at home when the fire started, but there were four cats and two birds inside.
“The house was very cluttered inside,” Bacidore said, adding that this made it hard for responders to get around inside.
Responders found one deceased cat, but without emptying the house completely, it would be hard to find the other animals, Bacidore said.
“It’s so sad,” said neighbor Arlette Menision, who’s lived at her house across the street for 54 years. “That house is gone.”
Around 1:20 p.m., flames started showing from the roof again.
Although the fire was under control about 1½-2 hours after it started, Bacidore said responders left around 5 p.m. He said it appears the fire started in the kitchen.