2 dogs die, home severely damaged in fire near Spring Grove

Two pet dogs died over the weekend during a house fire near Spring Grove that left the home significantly damaged and uninhabitable.

Crews were called at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday to the home, in the 28500 block of Kendall Avenue, a short distance off Nippersink Lake, to find heavy smoke coming from the roof, Fox Lake Fire Protection District Chief Ed Lescher said.

The chief said firefighters pulled one dog out of the house and attempted to resuscitate the animal but were unsuccessful. A second dog found later also did not survive.

Authorities said the fire had started around the kitchen and spread to the attic. It took more than an hour to get the blaze under control. The chief said crews had to cut through a ceiling and open the roof to attack the blaze.

Lescher said crews had to shuttle in water because the house is in an area without hydrants. It took several hours to get the fire completely out.

The blaze isn’t considered suspicious and is under investigation, he said.

The Red Cross was on the scene to assist the homeowners with temporary housing.