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Four dogs die in St. Cloud house fire

ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Investigators in St. Cloud are trying to figure out what sparked a fire that killed four dogs and sent a man to the hospital Thursday morning.

Rose Punzalan got her 93-year-old mother out of her house after she saw flames inch closer to her home's window. Her neighbor's house was on fire.

"Because the fire was coming out right next to her bedroom so we came out, moved our car and called 911," said Punzalan.

The fire started in a wood-framed home 17th Street.

Officials from the fire department said because it is an older wood-framed home, it was a difficult to stop the flames from spreading. 

Neighbor Suzanne Overcash said she heard the sirens and feared for her own home and family.

"I didn't know if it was my house, or my husband," said Overcash. "I was really panicked. I asked the sheriff, I said, 'I need to get home."

Officials from the Florida State Fire Marshal's office said they believed the fire started on the porch, but are still investigating the cause of the fire.

A man who lived in the home was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, but has been released. Four dogs who lived in the home did not survive the fire. 

"I feel sorry for the little dogs. I have two dogs myself. I feel sorry for the little dogs," said Punzalan. "At least the man was able to get out of the house."