A house fire in Old East Village that left six people, including a firefighter, hurt is not considered suspicious.
London firefighters were called to the multi-unit home at Lyle and King streets around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday.
"They encountered a working fire at the rear of the home with flames and smoke visible," said London Fire Department Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland.
A woman, who lives in a second floor unit, was pulled from the building and taken to hospital with unknown injuries. She was later released. Four other people, including three who tried to help the woman on the second floor, were treated for smoke inhalation. A firefighter also suffered a knee injury while trying to douse the flames.
Nearly two dozen animals -- 20 cats and two dogs -- had to be rescued from the building. They have since been turned over to animal control.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Loveland said the blaze appears to have started in an area of the home which was boarded up.
"We are asking people be aware of their surroundings and if they notice people living where they shouldn't be to notify the fire department so we can investigate and try to help those individuals before potentially deadly fires break out," said Loveland.
A damage estimate has not yet been determined.