The 600 block of Natoma Drive in Elgin. (CREDIT: Google Maps)

City of Elgin fire officials are investigating the cause of a Saturday basement fire that injured a house cat and caused $40,000 damage to a home on Natoma Drive.

(CREDIT: Google Maps)

According to an Elgin Fire Department news release, firefighters responded just before 5 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 2, 2019) to the 600 block of Natoma Drive for a report of a possible structure fire.

Responding fire companies found a two-story home filled with heavy black smoke. The first crew arrived on scene in just over seven minutes.

Fire crews made entry into the home and determined the fire was in the basement. The fire was extinguished with one hose line and placed under control 10 minutes after the first crews arrived.

The home suffered extensive smoke damage to all three levels, with fire damage to the washer, dryer and furnace. Initial damage estimates are in excess of $40,000.

The home was occupied at the time of the fire.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries due to the fire. An uninjured cat was removed from the home during the fire.

Initial indications show the fire may have started in the dryer, but the EFD Fire Investigation Team is still investigating.

Elgin Fire Chief David Schmidt said the fire serves as a reminder for residents to make sure you have properly installed and maintained smoke detectors in your home and/or business.

“Smoke detectors are the first line of defense during a fire event,” he said. “Test smoke detectors each month and make a habit of changing the batteries twice a year, like when you change your clocks.”

For more information, please contact Battalion Chief Dick Cummings at 847-931-6183.

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SOURCE: Elgin Fire Department news release