Three pets were killed during a fire at a duplex unit in Aurora Monday morning, according to a news release from the Aurora Fire Department.
Two cats and a dog died in the fire, and several other pets are still unaccounted for, according to the release. The duplex unit has been declared uninhabitable.
The fire department, with a combined total of 29 personnel, responded to a structure fire at the two-story duplex in the 1500 block of Andover Circle in Aurora at around 4:55 a.m. Monday, according to the release. Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from the first and second floors, with flames extending along the rear of the structure, officials said.
Firefighters initiated an interior attack, but operations were briefly suspended when the initial hose line had issues due to “thermal compromise,” and conditions worsened, according to the release.
The crews were evacuated, and they used a defensive strategy until they could resume an interior attack on the fire, officials said. It was ultimately brought under control using three hose lines and was followed by extensive overhaul to ensure the fire was completely extinguished, according to the release.
The homeowner was taken to an area hospital for possible smoke inhalation and later taken to another facility for further care, the release said.
“This was a difficult fire made more challenging by early setbacks and heavy fire conditions,” said Aurora Fire Chief David McCabe in the release. “Our crews remained focused, adapted quickly and worked together to bring the fire under control while protecting adjacent units and ensuring everyone’s safety.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the release.