Submitted by the City of Evanston
At about 7:30 p.m. on March 15, Evanston firefighters responded to the 1800 block of Washington Street for multiple reports of a residential house fire.
First arriving companies arrived within minutes, encountering advanced smoke and fire conditions from the structure’s basement. Due to a quick and aggressive offensive attack, the fire was extinguished and contained to the unit of origin approximately 30 minutes after crews arrived on the scene.
Two occupants and one cat were able to self-evacuate prior to the arrival of fire companies, escaping without incident. There were no reported firefighter injuries.
The American Red Cross was called to provide food, housing, and social services for the displaced residents.
Additional personnel and equipment were called in from neighboring communities to assist the City of Evanston with station coverage and EFD personnel with battling the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.