Unattended cooking is getting the blame for a house fire on Dillabough St. in London that caused $120,000 damage and killed two cats.
London fire officials say they got the call just after 11pm last Thursday, adding that flames and heavy smoke were already visible by the time firefighters arrived at the scene.
Investigators say the fire started in the kitchen in the apartment on the main floor, with the flames spreading up the stairs at the back of the building and into the upper level apartment.
No injuries were reported, but not all of the pets that were inside the building at the time survived. Firefighters were able to rescue three chinchillas and a bearded dragon lizard, but they weren't able to save two cats that were in the building at the time.
A vehicle that was parked beside the house at the time of the fire was also damaged by the flames, which were already spreading out of the rear and side windows of the building when fire crews arrived.
A fire inspector attended the scene and was able to confirm that the fire was started by someone who was cooking using a pot of oil for frying.
The residents who live on the main floor and in the upper level apartment are now displaced.
Fire officials are reminding residents to never leave cooking oil unattended. They also say working smoke detectors in both apartments alerted the occupants early and allowed them to escape safely.
