Firefighters from Modesto Fire Department and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire District responded to a reported structure fire at a duplex near the corner of 10th Avenue and East E Street in Oakdale shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 30.

Firefighters arrived and found a fire that started in the laundry room had spread into multiple rooms on one side of the duplex.

All occupants had safely evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews; Oakdale Police officers evacuated occupants of the neighboring duplex unit as responding firefighters worked to contain the fire.

Crews were able to stop the fire from extending into an adjoining duplex, and while the neighboring residence had minor smoke damage, firefighters were able to prevent the spread of fire into the occupied living space.

During the incident, firefighters were able to rescue two cats from the home. One additional cat was found deceased.

The response included six fire engines, two truck companies, two battalion chiefs, Modesto Paramedic Captain 1 and the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit.