ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – Four people narrowly escaped a house fire early Wednesday morning in Cahokia Heights.

The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. at the home located on Judith Lane, just off Falling Springs Road. One person was asleep on the couch when they smelled smoke and immediately acted, getting everyone out of bed.

All four people inside made it out safely. There were two dogs outside the house that are safe, but sadly, the two dogs inside could not be found in time.

Firefighters from multiple departments, including Camp Jackson, Prairie DuPont, Dupo, and Columbia, responded to the fire. Crews worked for several hours to put out the flames, with Columbia’s ladder truck seen spraying water onto the roof.

It’s believed the fire started in the attic, but the cause is still under investigation. Theresa Harriel, her husband, their son, and another tenant lived in the home.

Relatives quickly gathered to support them. Denise Purham, Harriel’s sister-in-law, expressed her relief that no lives were lost, but she was concerned there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

“I’m very grateful because all of them could have died,” Purham said. “You know, all of them could have died. So I’m very grateful that they were all able to get out. Even the neighbor. I’m grateful that she was able to get out.”

Sadly, the two dogs who did not survive, named Mercy and Bear, were both around two or three years old. The family is heartbroken but thankful no human lives were lost.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal will work to determine the exact cause of the fire as it remains under investigation.