A fire tore through a single-story home in the Village of Somers on Wednesday evening, Oct. 14, killing several household pets. No people were hurt, according to Somers Fire Rescue Chief Benjamin Andersen.
The fire was reported at about 8:15 p.m. at 2719 1st Street, where callers to 911 reported smoke and flames coming from the house. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire and smoke inside and began attacking the blaze while searching the home for anyone trapped.
Deputies were able to confirm through the homeowner that nobody was inside the house, and the homeowners were on their way back to the property while crews worked. The chief did not specify how many animals died or what types they were, and it was not announced whether the residents were displaced or whether the home is a total loss.
The response grew to a box alarm at about 8:30 p.m. and brought roughly 30 firefighters in all. Departments assisting Somers included Kenosha, Paris, Pleasant Prairie, Bristol, South Shore and Caledonia, along with Newport Fire Department from Illinois, while other departments helped cover stations in the surrounding communities.
The Kenosha County Fire Investigation Task Force was asked to respond to the scene. Andersen said the cause is undetermined but not suspicious, and investigators have not identified a suspected ignition source or set a dollar estimate for the damage.
Andersen gave the details on Monday, Oct. 19, after being contacted about the fire. He said the department had not issued a formal press release on the incident.
