Cat dies in ‘suspicious’ house fire in Winter Park

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Firefighters said they are investigating a “suspicious” house fire after a Winter Park home went up in flames early Tuesday.

At about 12:22 a.m., firefighters responded to a house fire coming from the garage area at 3335 Heartwood Avenue.

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Firefighters said they found heavy smoke and flames in the house.

Two people were in the home, but they were safely evacuated.

There were also three cats in the home. One cat was found safe, another was given oxygen and the third cat did not make it, according to firefighters.

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Fire officials said the flames quickly spread and consumed 70% of the home.

Due to the nature of the incident, Orange County Sheriff’s Office was called to conduct an investigation and the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate the cause of the fire, officials said.

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Firefighters said the fire is suspicious at this time and the State Fire Marshal will handle the investigation.

The reason officials are calling the fire suspicious is because the home was tagged with graffiti overnight.

No other information was made available.

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See a map of the scene below:

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