Mendota hearth: A whole bunch of pets killed when hearth rips by Fin Fur Feather Pet Store, damages storefronts in downtown space

MENDOTA, Sick. (WLS) — A whole bunch of animals died when a fireplace in Mendota, Illinois ripped by a number of storefronts and a pet store within the metropolis’s downtown space Friday morning, Mendota hearth officers stated.

The hearth began in an upstairs residence within the 700-block of Illinois Avenue and unfold to a number of properties on the block, officers stated.

Authorities say the flats above the companies had been additionally destroyed. No residents had been harm.

A number of vacant storefronts had been broken, and a pet store on the block was most affected. It was a complete loss, hearth officers stated.

Jennifer Sibley and Chandra Cearns are clinging to hope solely hours after the hearth raced by their Fin Fur Feather Pet Store, killing a whole bunch of their animals.

“We could not save all the pieces, however we saved what we might,” Sibley stated.

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The ladies had been planning on opening a brand new pet retailer after just lately combining the outlets they’d individually owned. The shop plans to promote rabbits, fish, guinea pigs, birds, and reptiles, together with animal feed.

“We weren’t the traditional pet store,” Cearns stated. “You walked in, it was the hometown pet store the place you bought to sit down and speak.”

The flames erupted late Thursday night time within the 700-block of Illinois Avenue within the downtown district of the city of roughly 7,000 residents. Mendota is about 90 miles southwest of Chicago, in LaSalle County.

“I had a good friend name me,” Sibley stated. “I used to be preparing for mattress and he stated the store was on hearth… I grabbed my coat, ran out barefoot, received in my truck. I reside 4 blocks from right here and it was already filled with smoke and up in flames. “

Firefighters from a number of neighboring areas battled the flames into Friday morning. Crews even demolished a vacant city-owned constructing to cease the hearth’s unfold.

Whereas a couple of animals had been saved, the store’s chook mascots Lucy and Mango together with a tortoise named Lil’ Foot had been among the many many pets misplaced.

“To lose stuff like that is simply devastating,” stated Andora Cearns, the daughter of one of many store’s homeowners. “It is all your exhausting work gone. It is your loved ones members, they’re household to us. Animals are our livelihood.”

Metropolis officers stated this was the second latest hearth within the downtown space. Final August, a fireplace destroyed a number of storefronts.

The reason for the hearth stays beneath investigation. In the meantime, the pet store homeowners are vowing to rebuild.