The Canton Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 1941 Tuscarawas St. E. late Thursday evening. Dispatched at 11:37 p.m. on December 1, firefighters arrived at the scene to find light smoke emanating from the first floor of a two-and-a-half-story residential building.
Upon entering the premises through the front door, the crews encountered a large cage containing a deceased cat. Simultaneously, they fought to extinguish the fire that had engulfed the exterior of the first floor. Amid their efforts, the firefighters made a rescue, pulling an elderly adult female to safety through a second-floor window.
During their thorough search of the second floor, the diligent crews discovered an unconscious cat, believed to have suffered from smoke inhalation. The firefighters attended to the feline, administering necessary treatment. The cat regained consciousness and was entrusted to a relative of the occupant present at the scene.
The rescued woman was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No injuries were reported among the firefighters involved in the operation.
As of now, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and the Canton Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau has opened an investigation to determine the origin and circumstances surrounding the incident.
