House fire in Duluth leaves two individuals displaced and two pet cats missing

The Duluth Fire Department responded to a structure fire around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday morning at 315 S 69th Avenue West. Upon arrival crews with 8 Quint saw heavy smoke and flames coming from multiple windows of the two-story home.

Authorities reported that there were two people trapped on the first story porch roof. Crews worked to ladder one individual down while officials say the other individual jumped off the porch roof.

Those individuals are currently displaced due to the fire and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. Crews also reported that three cats went missing in the fire. One cat was found dead and the other two remain missing.

No injuries were reported by either of the residents or the crews on scene. Officials say there is approximately $75,000 in damage to the home.

Those who helped assist in the fire include, 10 Engine, 1 Tower, 2 Engine, Rescue 1, and 8 Quint, Duluth Police Department, Mayo Ambulance, Minnesota Power and the American Red Cross.

The fire remains under investigation by the Duluth Fire Marshal’s office.

The Duluth Fire Department wants to stress how important it is to not drive over fire hydrant lines. “This puts our equipment, people’s property, and most importantly, our staff in jeopardy. When
crews are working on our emergency scenes, it is critical to DFD’s success that motorists
find an alternate route to avoid putting our staff and equipment in danger.”