Firefighters from Marion County Fire Rescue saved two cats from a burning mobile home Monday afternoon in Summerfield.
When firefighters arrived at the home, located in the 17000 Block of SE 96th Court, just after 4 p.m., flames and heavy smoke were coming from the structure. Neighbors already had broken a window in an attempt to save the cats from the burning structure.
Firefighters from Station 10 in The Villages entered the burning home and aggressively attacked the fire, but the ceiling came down on them.
Firefighters from Weirsdale Station 27 and Spruce Creek Station 30 also battled the blaze, which was brought under control about 4:30 p.m.
The residents of the home arrived home and told firefighters there were four cats inside the home. Firefighters located two kittens – Monkey and Ocho – in the bathroom and administered oxygen with a pet mask. They reportedly were doing well as the search for the other two cats continued.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The American Red Cross was called in to assist the four adult residents of the home.