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Portsmouth fire rescue responds to house fire - family escaped safely, but cat didn't

Portsmouth firefighters were fighting a blaze in the 800 block of Jewell Avenue just before 1 p.m. Wednesday.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth firefighters were fighting a blaze in the 800 block of Jewell Avenue just before 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Officials said the call about an appliance fire came in around 12:35 p.m. When teams got to the scene, the flames were coming through the roof of the house.

There was heavy smoke and fire in the home, officials said. 

A release from the city said the fire was under control by 1:25 p.m. Two adults, three children and a dog made it out safely, and no firefighters were hurt responding to the incident.

A spokesperson said the family's cat did not escape in time.

It was about 97 degrees in the city while firefighters were putting out the flames, but with humidity, the air feel was well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Portsmouth Fire Department is investigating the cause of the house fire. The Red Cross is helping the family while they are displaced.

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