Only some dark spots around a front window reveal a fire took place inside this Houston St. home. (Photo by Mike James)Only some dark spots around a front window reveal a fire took place inside this Houston St. home. (Photo by Mike James)
Chatham

Homeowner Tries To Save Cat, Escapes Fire

A Chatham man is being treated for minor injuries after an early morning house fire in Chatham.

Crews were called to 53 Houston St. just before 5am. Jessica Wygiera lives next door and was woken up by her neighbour banging on her door.

"He was so covered in black that when I came outside he started talking to me and telling me that his kitchen was on fire," says Wygiera. "And I was like 'OK I'll go check it out' and when I looked inside the one window, all I could see was flames, just complete orange in that window."

Wygiera says the owner then went back in the house.

"He has a cat, he was worried about his cat, he was trying to call his cat. But he got up the stairs to go into his kitchen and he had to come back out, he was like 'I can't, I can't take it (the smoke).'"

Firefighters say they initiated an aggressive attack on the kitchen fire and quickly knocked it down. Damage is pegged at $15,000 while property saved is estimated at $135,000.

The official cause is listed as undetermined.

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