2 injured after Ill. FF-medic responds to blaze at his own house

By Laura French

GURNEE, Ill. — An Illinois firefighter-paramedic responded to a fire at his own home last week that left his mother and another firefighter injured. 

The blaze Thursday at the home of Gurnee Firefighter-Paramedic Bob Davidson engulfed the second floor of the house and killed his pet cat, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. Davidson's mother, who lives next door to him, suffered smoke inhalation after helping to rescue his pet dog, which survived. 

Another firefighter sustained unspecified injuries while fighting the blaze. No one was inside the house at the time of the fire other than the two pets and no other injuries were reported. 

Davidson, of the Gurnee Fire Department, was on the first engine that arrived at the scene. Firefighters from several other local departments assisted at the scene and the fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes.

An online fundraiser set up to assist Davidson after the fire has raised more than $13,500 as of Monday morning.