Cats rescued from burning Spokane Valley duplex

Spokane Valley firefighters rescued two cats from a burning duplex Saturday.

A woman got out on her own, thanks to a smoke detector. Fire Chief Mike Thompson credited the detector with saving the woman’s life, but her cats remained inside the residence at 2214 N. Marguerite Road.

No one was at home in the other half of the duplex.

Thompson said firefighters searched both living units and carried out the cats. They were given oxygen at the scene and received treatment at a veterinarian’s office.

The fire was reported at 2:31 a.m. Thompson said flames were shooting from the garage roof, and the fire had spread to both living units when firefighters arrived 4 1/2 minutes later.

Twenty-five firefighters from 11 crews controlled the blaze in about 30 minutes.

Thompson said the fire started in the garage of the woman who escaped, and caused an estimated $350,000 damage. The cause remained under investigation Sunday.