House fire in Forest Grove claims lives of nine cats, cause under investigation

Firefighters extinguished a house fire in Forest Grove, Oregon, on Monday afternoon, discovering eleven cats inside the home. Nine of the cats died from smoke inhalation, while two were rescued and taken for veterinary care. Upon arrival, crews found flames emerging from the front window and quickly initiated firefighting operations. The fire had spread to a converted attic bedroom, prompting firefighters to cut holes in the roof for smoke and heat removal. The incident took approximately 30 minutes to bring under control, and during the operation, firefighters followed standard procedures to search for trapped residents, finding no one home.

Significant damage occurred to parts of the house, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Local authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the fire, which raises concerns about pet safety in residential fires. The incident highlights the importance of fire safety measures for households with pets.