Cat found dead after Gulfport home goes up in flames

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) - Firefighters made a sad discovery after battling a house fire in Gulfport Thursday night.

A cat was found dead inside the home on 49th Avenue, overcome by smoke and heat.

Battalion Chief Chris Henderson said firefighters got the call around 5 p.m. from neighbors who noticed smoke coming from the single-story house.

When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the back of the house.

Henderson said the home's resident was out of town, and no one was inside the structure.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.