A fire at a home in the 3900 block of Hawthorn Drive last week likely cost an Imperial woman her home, Saline Valley Fire Chief Bob Dunn reported.
“There was significant damage. I would imagine insurance will declare it a total loss,” he said.
Dunn said the sole occupant, the woman who owns the home, had gotten out of the house safely before firefighters got to the scene.
“The smoke detector alerted her,” he said.
A pet was not as fortunate.
“There was a pet reptile,” he said. “It did not survive.”
Dunn said the Saline Valley Fire Protection District received a call at 8:38 a.m. Jan. 12 about the blaze.
“There was heavy fire in the basement when the first engine company arrived,” he said. “The fire started to extend into the first floor.”
Dunn said the engine company had difficulty finding the root of the fire because numerous items were stored in the basement.
A cause of the fire had not been established, Dunn said Monday, Jan. 16.
“It’s still under investigation,” Dunn said. “I have no reason to believe it’s suspicious.”
He said firefighters remained on the scene for about two-and-a-half hours.
The woman declined Red Cross assistance, he said.
“She believes her family and insurance will take care of her,” Dunn said.
The Antonia, Rock Community, Mehlville and High Ridge fire protection districts helped with the call, and the Rock Township Ambulance District responded to the scene, he said.