More than 50 cats and kittens were found after a Wheaton, Maryland, home caught fire Wednesday afternoon, fire officials say.
Firefighters were called to 3402 Weller Road at 3:20 p.m. for a report of a fire. Crews encountered extreme hoarding conditions when they entered the home and found a number of cats and kittens.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Pete Piringer said the home was otherwise unoccupied.
Firefighters rescued and resuscitated a few of the felines; others ran from the home on their own. Multiple cats died as a result of the fire, Piringer said. The exact number of cats was not released.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. The house has been condemned.
