By WMBD

NORMAL – A woman and her three dogs escaped unharmed after their home in Normal caught fire on Saturday.

According to a Normal Fire Department news release, firefighters responded for a kitchen fire near Highland and Parkland Drive just after 12:30 p.m.

Light smoke could be seen from the house when firefighters arrived only to find heavier smoke and fire in the northwest corner of the kitchen. An engine and battalion chief from Bloomington Fire Department had to be called in.

The fire was under control within 25 minutes. Firefighters stuck around afterwards to ventilate and salvage the home.

The ceiling and walls had to be torn down to find additional hot spots. Due to older construction methods, the flames spread much quicker than in modern homes.

Inside the home, firefighters found a cat that wasn’t breathing. Despite efforts to resuscitate it, the cat died of smoke inhalation.

The woman is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

Normal Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire.

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