A couple and their two dogs escaped a house fire Sunday morning in Malden, Massachusetts, but their cats were unaccounted for.
“You feel bad for them," Malden Fire Chief Stephen Froio told NBC10 Boston. "It’s mother’s day. They’re out of a house -- don’t have a home anymore."
Fire officials received reports of a fire on Forest Street around 7:30 a.m. and found heavy fire on multiple floors upon arrival.
Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.
“It had a good head start," Froio said. "We're putting as much water o as we can. We can’t get in the building - it’s a collapse hazard -- so everybody’s outside putting water on."
A woman told NBC10 Boston that she and her boyfriend woke up to the fire and escaped with their two dogs. Several cats were still inside, but fire officials didn't have any information on their whereabouts. The house has been in the family since 1962, according to a relative.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
Utility companies shut off power to the house shortly after firefighters got on scene. Around a half a dozen departments from surrounding towns coming to help, including Lynn, Everett and Medford.
Crews were still working to put out hot spots Sunday morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation.