Dog still missing after fire destroys homes, business in Blue Island, officials say

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (WLS) — Crews battled a fire in the south suburbs on Monday morning, video shows.

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ABC7 arrived to the scene near the 2000-block of Vermont Street in Blue Island at about 5:30 a.m.

The fire started at about 4:15 a.m. at a house, according to the fire department.

Neighbors said they woke up to a loud “boom” before seeing the fire.

Only the brick entrance of a house was left standing.

A total of four homes were damaged, including one that housed a hair salon.

Two ferrets and a cat made it out of the home where the fire started.

However, family say their 8-year-old German Shepard named Lexi is still missing.

One person told ABC7 off camera it was his brother who was home during the time of the fire, and he had burns on his leg and back.

He says the rest of the family was away in Mexico.

Edward Castellana’s home was among the four properties that were damaged. He said that he grew up in the houses next door, so seeing them go up in flames was emotional for him.

“I was with my grandparents, and this was my second home. It was very emotional for me to see it disappear,” he said.

Officials confirmed one person was taken to the hospital with minor burns.

A firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. The firefighter was treated and released.

It is not clear how the fire started.