A blaze in Decatur early Saturday morning led to the death of two cats and forced a family of six from their damaged home.

Just after 4:00 a.m., the Decatur Fire Department responded to a call about a fire in a garage located on the 200 block of Bay Shore Drive. When Engine 6 arrived, firefighters encountered intense flames in the garage, which had started to spread to the main house.

The fire crews swiftly deployed two hose lines to knock down the garage fire. They then moved inside the house through the front door to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Additional fire companies arriving on the scene provided crucial support, which included ventilation, floor searches, controlling utilities, and ensuring a steady water supply.

The family and their dog evacuated safely before the firefighters arrived, with no injuries to any civilians. Unfortunately, firefighters found two cats inside; despite their efforts to revive them, the cats did not survive.

The fire largely damaged the garage and extended into the kitchen. Though confined to the home, the severe damage has left the family displaced. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The following Decatur Fire units responded to the scene of this incident:

• Battalion 1
• Engine 1
• Truck 1
• Truck 2
• Engine 3
• Engine 6
• 312
• 313
• 314
• 702

Ameren and Abbott Ambulance acted as assisting agencies on scene.