A massive fire at a home on Rabbit Court in the Pine Ridge section of Manchester completely engulfed the home where nine cats died on Sunday afternoon around 1:54 pm.

When Manchester Police Officers arrived on the scene Sunday, they said they observed smoke and flames emanating from the side of the residence.

They were able to immediately confirm that the lone resident of the household was not inside, but that several family pets were.

Firefighters from the Manchester, Ridgeway, Whiting, Lakehurst, and Joint Base fire departments responded to the scene and extinguished the fire.

Once the fire was extinguished, it was learned that nine cats that were inside the residence had perished.

There were no injuries reported at the scene.

The cause of the fire is unknown but is being investigated by the Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office, and Manchester Police Detective Adam Emmons.

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