Cats Whose Cries Alert Owner Die in Apartment Fire

Two cats that might have started a fire that later took their lives were credited Sunday with saving one of their owners with their loud cries and scratching.

The two cats were locked in a bedroom at Knott Orange Apartments at 515 S. Knott Ave., where they might have started the fire about 11 a.m. Sunday, said Anaheim Fire Department spokeswoman Tabby Cato.

The pets’ noise awoke Sharon Deason, who fled the smoke and flames with her 19-year-old daughter, Sarah, but they apparently did not have enough time to save the animals, Cato said.

“It’s a really sad story, but in another way, the cats were able to wake her up,” Cato said.

The apartment was gutted, while three other apartments suffered water and smoke damage, she said.

Residents in the 20-unit apartment building were temporarily evacuated, Cato said. Eight people were left homeless and were being assisted by the Red Cross.

“The fire appears to be accidental, but it’s still under investigation,” said Cato, who said several appliances were plugged into an outlet that might have attracted the cats. “We can’t, at this time, rule out that the cats had something to do with the fire.”

Forty firefighters responded to the blaze and had it under control in 28 minutes, Cato said. Total damage to the structure and its contents was placed at $58,000, she said.