Josh Ornberg and his girlfriend, Letitia Kovalovski, were sleeping on the couch when their cat of 13 years jumped on the couch and woke them. Baby the cat rarely ever jumped on furniture and preferred to stay hidden. The couple realized smoke was filling the house. Ornberg called 911 after unsuccessfully trying to extinguish the fire.
The couple, who are expecting twins, had just purchased the the Wonder Lake, IL home from Kovalovski’s mother after renting it for the past four years.
Mike Weber, assistant chief for the Wonder Lake fire department, says the fire started in the couple’s bedroom and was contained within a half hour. Damage to the home is estimated at $115,000. Another $60,000 was lost in personal property. Ornberg said “We’d bought the cribs, clothes and changing table. This weekend I was going to buy one of those Disney ceiling fans. Now there’s nothing left”. The Wonder Lake Firefighters Association is currently soliciting funds to help buy baby items for the couple’s twins that will be born soon.
No one was harmed, but Baby dispappeared once everyone was outside. The search is on for Baby. The couple hopes the cat is found soon.