At approximately 8:20 p.m. Friday evening, Evanston firefighters responded to the 1400 block of Madison Street in response to a multi-residential structure fire.
The Evanston Fire Department reported that first-arriving companies responded within minutes, encountering heavy smoke and fire conditions engulfing two floors in the rear of the home. Due to an aggressive fire attack, the fire was extinguished within 20 minutes.
Four occupants safely evacuated the structure, according to the EFD. During search efforts, firefighters removed two cats from the building. The American Red Cross provided emergency services for displaced residents, and no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.
Additional equipment and personnel from neighboring municipalities provided the city with station coverage and assisted EFD personnel battle the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.