NORFOLK, Va. — At least seven cats and kittens died in a house fire near Hyde Park Playground in Norfolk Sunday morning, fire officials said.
The blaze broke out at a home near the corner of Hyde Park Road and Chapin Street just before 8:30 a.m.
When Norfolk Fire-Rescue searched the inside of the home for victims, crews discovered a "significant amount of cats and kittens." As firefighters worked to rescue the felines, officials said the cats bit through their gear, leaving bite and scratch marks.
"Many [cats] were already dead (7+) but they were able to rescue several others," Norfolk Fire-Rescue said in a release.
Norfolk Fire-Rescue rescue multiple cats from house fire
No residents or firefighters were injured by the blaze, however, many crew members have "minor injuries" from saving the cats.
The residents are now displaced but fire officials were unsure if Red Cross was needed.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze.