CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters in Charleston were called to a fire at a mobile home on Sunday, reportedly started by a child playing with a lighter.
Emergency crews were dispatched to N. Division St. with a report of a couch ablaze. Upon arrival, they saw smoke billowing from the front door of a single-wide mobile home.
All occupants had safely evacuated before the firefighters got there, though they were informed of several pets still inside. The firefighters successfully doused the flames but noted the presence of dense smoke and extreme heat within the home. The living room suffered the most damage.
While searching, firefighters found one dog and four kittens alive inside. But, the fire department added, one cat did not survive. No other injuries were reported.
After investigating, fire officials determined that the fire started on the couch from a child playing with a lighter.
Fire crews remained on the scene until around 8:50 a.m. on Sunday. The Mattoon Fire Department and the Charleston Police Department assisted in the emergency response.
