Nearly a dozen cats die, 2 people suffer smoke inhalation in Sacramento County house fire

About 10 cats were killed and two people were being treated for potential smoke inhalation injuries after a house fire Tuesday morning in Sacramento County’s Elverta area, fire officials said.

Firefighters observed heavy fire conditions throughout most of the house upon arrival, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said in social media posts shortly after 9 a.m.

Two occupants who re-entered the home in an effort to rescue their cats escaped but were taken to hospitals for evaluation of smoke inhalation injuries, Metro Fire said.

“Tragically approx 10 cats were later found deceased,” Metro Fire tweeted.

Photos posted by Metro Fire showed flames emerging from exterior windows of the house, with serious damage to the front of the home and to its garage after the fire was extinguished.

The posts did not specify where in Elverta the incident took place.

Metro Fire officials urged residents not to re-enter burning buildings.