A cat was killed and two people displaced, after an east side apartment fire destroyed two units on Monday night, authorities said.
Tucson Fire Department responded to complex, in the 5800 block of East 22nd Street, finding heavy smoke in the area as they approached the scene, said Capt. Barrett Baker, a department spokesman.
Crews had to force entry through a gate to gain access to the apartment's patio, which was engulfed in flames, and began extinguishing the blaze while confirming that the residents had evacuated the unit, Baker said.
The flames reached the adjoining apartment's patio before it was brought under control. Nine units and 23 firefighters responded to the scene and had the fire controlled in less than 20 minutes, Baker said.
The two residents, who were able to escape the apartment with their three dogs before crews arrived, told firefighters that they were alerted to the fire by popping noises and the smell of something burning coming from the back patio. When they went to look, the found the area engulfed in flames, Baker said.
While checking the rest of the apartment for damage, crews discovered that the residents' cat had died in the fire. Red Cross is assisting the family, as the interior of their apartment was damaged, Baker said.
The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.
