Three trucks and several firefighters from the Houston Rural Fire Department responded to a fire Tuesday at about 10:45 a.m. at a home on Oak Hill Drive in Houston.
The homeowner, Charles Haley, reportedly discovered the fire when he returned to his residence after being away.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it engulfed the exterior of the residence, but the home’s interior sustained significant damage.
The origin of the fire was still being investigated at press time.
Haley said he wasn’t too concerned about the condition of home or the possessions he lost, but was saddened by the fact that his two cats had succumbed to smoke inhalation (the animals’ bodies were found inside by firefighters).
Also responding to the scene and helping divert traffic were officers from the Texas County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol.