BRIEF: Fire department: Smoking materials caused Front. St. blaze

May 16--BLOOMINGTON -- Smoking materials were found to be the cause of a large fire that damaged a historic Bloomington home last month.

Stuart Blade, Bloomington Fire Department spokesman, said investigators determined the fire started on the third-floor balcony of the apartment house at 605 E. Front St. on April 30.

Eight residents escaped the scene unharmed and one firefighter was transported by ambulance with minor injuries.

The American Red Cross was brought into assist the residents with lodging and other personal needs.

A dog that ran from the house was found and returned to its owner, said Blade.

The three-story building, built in 1896 as a home for stock breeder George Hanna, is owned by Chris Cavalera.

The Bloomington Fire Department estimated the damage at $125,000.

Contact Julia Evelsizer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_evelsizer

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