MILAN, Illinois — First responders were called to a house fire in the 2600 block of 78th Avenue in Milan Tuesday night.
Several agencies responded to a home that was fully engulfed upon arrival, with flames showing through the roof, at 8:26 pm, according to Todd Fitzpatrick, Blackhawk Fire Protection District fire chief.
Agencies that responded include the Blackhawk Fire Protection District, Coal Valley Fire Department, Advanced Medical Transport of Central Illinois, Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, Rock Island Arsenal and Coyne Center Fire Department.
Chief Fitzpatrick told News 8 there were no injuries to the one resident of the home. A couple of firefighters overheated on the scene due to the warm weather, but no one was transported for medical attention.
News 8 spoke with the owner of the house Tuesday night, who said his neighbor had reported smelling gas in the area during the day. The owner said he doesn't have a sense of smell due to cancer treatments, so when he got home he lit a candle which sparked the fire.
The owner said he made it out OK with his dog, however, his pet bird did not make it out of the house. He told News 8 that he will be staying with a friend Tuesday night. The Red Cross has been called for further assistance.
The home is across from the John Deere factory entrance off of 78th Avenue, which was closed off for a short time while crews were on scene.
The home is considered a total loss.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel