A woman escaped unharmed from a fire that destroyed her home early Thursday morning, but six cats were lost in the blaze.
The Canton Fire Department was dispatched to the single-story residence at 1623 Alden Ave. SW at 2:10 a.m. Upon arrival, crews found the house engulfed in flames. The female occupant had already evacuated safely before firefighters arrived.
Crews attempted to enter the building to combat the fire but were forced to retreat due to structural instability. Firefighters successfully protected adjacent homes and contained the flames to the original structure.
The house was declared a total loss, with damages estimated at $46,100. It will need to be demolished. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced woman and two male residents.
No injuries were reported among the firefighters.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.