By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington firefighters battled a house fire Friday night on the city’s northwest side that apparently started in the basement and spread to the upper floors.

A family of five, two adults and three children, escaped unharmed from their home at 405 W. Graham St. Firefighters got the call about 7:30 p.m.

“When they arrived on scene, smoke was showing. Residents were out of the house at that time,” said the department’s public education officer Stuart Blade.

They told firefighters they saw flames coming from the basement. Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to make sure no one else was inside, and also to search for hot spots.

“We want to make sure that all the fire is out,” Blade said.

The cause and dollar estimate of damage are not available. The American Red Cross is aiding family members who are homeless because of the fire.

Blade said functioning smoke alarms alerted the family that the house was on fire.

Police blocked off Graham Street, from Lee to Madison, while the fire department fought the flames.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]