Crime & Safety
Lombard, IL Fire: 36 Cats Saved, 2 Escape Burning Animal Shelter
Lombard, IL – A Sunday night fire at an animal shelter in suburban Chicago sparked an urgent rescue operation as firefighters rushed into a burning building housing 38 cats. By the time the flames wer
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-11-02T19:59:51.118Z
Lombard, IL – A Sunday night fire at an animal shelter in suburban Chicago sparked an urgent rescue operation as firefighters rushed into a burning building housing 38 cats. By the time the flames were brought under control, 36 cats had been rescued, while two others were believed to have escaped.
According to the Village of Lombard and the Lombard Fire Department , crews were dispatched at approximately 8:22 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, to the 900 block of East St. Charles Road following reports of a structure fire.
The building, a single family residential property, was being used as a shelter for stray and homeless cats.
While firefighters were responding, dispatchers reported visible smoke and flames coming from first floor windows and the attic.
The first fire crew arrived at approximately 8:27 p.m. and discovered flames along the building's east side, with smoke emerging from the eaves.
Firefighters immediately deployed multiple hose lines to battle the flames while additional crews entered the rear of the building to rescue animals trapped inside.
According to Cat Guardians volunteers, 38 cats were being cared for at the facility when the fire broke out.
Firefighters successfully rescued 36 cats, all of which appeared to be in good condition. The remaining two cats were believed to have escaped during the rescue operation.
The building was unoccupied by residents at the time of the fire, and officials confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Crews brought the fire under control by approximately 8:40 p.m., less than 20 minutes after the initial dispatch.
Fire departments from Villa Park, Elmhurst, Addison and York Center assisted Lombard firefighters. Lombard police also provided traffic and crowd control.
The Lombard Fire Investigation Unit responded to determine what caused the blaze.
As of Monday, Nov. 2, the cause remained under investigation.
Officials have not released a damage estimate or additional information about the two cats believed to have escaped.