Tue Sep 10 18:17:00 UTC 2024: ## Local Family Treated for Smoke Inhalation After Re-entering Burning Home to Find Cat
**CHESTERTON, IN** – A parent and child were treated for smoke inhalation after re-entering their home to search for their cat during a kitchen fire on Sunday afternoon, according to the Chesterton Fire Department. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on South 15th Street, prompting firefighters to respond to a report of smoke emanating from the front door.
Upon arrival, firefighters extinguished the blaze, but discovered that the residents, who had initially evacuated, had returned to the home in an attempt to locate their missing cat. Fortunately, the feline was later found safe.
The Chesterton Fire Department emphasizes the importance of evacuating to a safe location during a fire and refraining from re-entering the structure, even to search for pets or retrieve belongings. Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell assured the public that firefighters will make every effort to rescue residents’ pets once the fire is under control.
The fire, ruled unintentional, highlighted the importance of functional smoke detectors. Authorities found that none of the smoke detectors in the rental property were operational. Chesterton town code mandates landlords to certify the presence of at least two functioning smoke detectors in rental properties every January.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with fire and underscores the critical role of safety measures such as functional smoke detectors and safe evacuation protocols.
First Piper 