By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Normal firefighters quickly extinguished what was described as a “rapidly-growing” apartment fire late Monday afternoon on the town’s near west side.

Firefighters were called a little after 4:30 p.m. to 1008 Morgan St. in Normal, where a fire started in the kitchen of a first-floor apartment. The caller reported heavy smoke, and the fire was spreading.

The person who lived in the apartment was not hurt.

The fire department said it took only about 10 minutes to get the fire under control, but the dwelling sustained heavy heat and smoke damage, especially near the kitchen.

Firefighters provided oxygen for two cats suffering smoke inhalation. Other animals in the two-story, eight-unit apartment building were unharmed.

The apartment’s carbon monoxide detector was working. However, the smoke alarm was not functioning because the battery appeared to have been removed, according to Fire Department spokesperson Matt Swaney.

“By the time the carbon monoxide levels reach the threshold for an alarm, a fire could be raging out of control,” Swaney said in a statement.

“A working smoke alarm provides the early warning you need to get out safely,” Swaney also said.

Fire investigators have not determined the cause.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]