Metro-east family escapes house fire without their pet dog

An East St. Louis family escaped a fire that destroyed their home Thursday afternoon, but their pit bull perished in the blaze.

The residents of the home at 2910 Market Ave. said it was engulfed in flames.

East St. Louis Assistant Fire Chief Edward Wayne said the home was “totally destroyed” but the three residents were not injured.

“We lost everything we have,” said Demetrius Hobson, who was at the scene with his mother, Eddie, and father, John.

“Right before Christmas,” added Eddie Hobson.

Eddie said she heard her son yelling for the family pet. She realized the dog didn’t survive since it didn’t respond.

The Hobsons suspect an electrical problem caused the fire, which was reported at 3:58 p.m.

Wayne said the cause of the fire has not been determined.

This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM.