Cat dies in Aurora house fire

A pet cat died and another went missing during a Sunday morning house fire in Aurora, authorities said.

Aurora firefighters were called to the home on the 400 block of North Avenue shortly after 11 a.m. Oct. 5 and found a front porch engulfed in flames, with additional smoke and fire coming from the home.

According to authorities, the fire had consumed the front porch and spread to the first and second floors as well as the attic.

Due to a combination of fire conditions and access difficulties, officials said, a third alarm was called to bring in additional support. The fire was brought under control in under 25 minutes.

Officials say a resident who was home at the time of the fire was able to safely evacuate after discovering the porch in flames. However, two cats were reported to be inside. One was found dead, and the other was unaccounted for.

The home was declared uninhabitable. No damage estimate was immediately available.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.