East Ridge family escapes burning home

An East Ridge family escaped from their burning home late Saturday night, but the family did lose three pets in the blaze.

Police Information Officer Erik Hopkins said fire personnel and East Ridge Police responded to a fire at 1021 Lansdell Road off Spring Creek Road shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday and found heavy smoke coming from the house.

Mr. Hopkins said the occupants of the home made it out safely, however several animals were still inside.

Firefighters found a cat near the front door and took the cat outside, where it was revived after given oxygen. The cat was taken to the emergency animal hospital for further evaluation.

Three other cats died in the fire.

Mr. Hopkins said the fire was contained to the garage, which had been converted to a den. Losses were estimated at $30,000.

The cause and origin are still under investigation by East Ridge Arson and Fire Investigators.