Fire in Belleville displaces family of five

A fire in a two-story house along South 11th Street has displaced a family of five, the Belleville Fire Department said.

At approximately 11:20 a.m. Saturday, firefighters were called to the 100 block of South 11th Street for a report of smoke coming from a window. When crews arrived they found heavy smoke in the stairwell and on the second floor of the house, said Fire Chief Tom Pour.

The fire was under control in 10 to 15 minutes, Pour said.

The cause of the fire is undetermined but appears to be electrical in nature, as there was an extension cord in the area, Pour said.

Pour estimated there was about $30,000 in damage.

No one was home at the time. Firefighters did rescue a cat from the house.

“We’re fortunate nobody was home, it was in the daytime and someone noticed right away,” Pour said.

Pour said the residents were staying with other family members.

This story was originally published April 16, 2016 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Fire in Belleville displaces family of five."