4 Cats, 3 Dogs Rescued After Tampa Apartment Building Catches Fire

TAMPA, FL — Hillsborough County firefighters rescued four cats and three dogs after a fire broke out at a two-story apartment building on Niagra Avenue in East Tampa.

Firefighters were called to the fire at the two-story building at 6:50 p.m. Thursday and found heavy flames and smoke billowing from the complex.

Crews launched an interior attack but had to back off due to the intensity of the fire as the battalion chief called a second alarm, bringing additional units to the scene to tap a nearby fire hydrant and help attack the fire from different sides of the building.

Firefighters also used two aerial devices to fight the fire from overhead.

During a search of the apartment building, firefighters found that all people had safely evacuated but rescued seven pets that were left behind.

Hillsborough Fire Rescue's Office of Emergency Management assisted the American Red Cross in finding shelter for the displaced residents.

Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by food left unattended on the stove.