A Turlock resident was able to escape a house fire Thursday night, but two cats perished in the incident, the Turlock Fire Department reported.

The fire was at a home in the 2300 block of Azusa Court and was reported at 11:48 p.m. Thursday.

The first firefighters to arrive at the scene found heavy flames coming from a rear bedroom in the house. The resident had already made it out of the house and told the firefighters that her three cats were still inside the home, said Turlock Fire Capt. Kevin Tidwell.

The firefighters made a quick entry into the home and started fighting the flames that had already encroached into the hallway. The firefighters encountered heavy smoke and high heat conditions inside the home as the performed a search, Tidwell said. The firefighters were able to douse the flames in a short time.

Three unresponsive cats were located and brought out of the home. Emergency personnel used a pet resuscitator kit in an attempt to revive the cats. It proved successful for one, but the other two perished. The surviving cat was taken by a Turlock police officer to a local veterinarian for additional treatment.

The Turlock Fire Department responded with three engines, Utility 5 and a battalion chief. Ceres Fire Department responded to the incident with one engine and a battalion chief. Turlock Irrigation District and PG&E responded to assist with securing utilities and an AMR unit responded to provide medical care to possible victims and provide firefighter safety. Turlock Police Department assisted with traffic control and assistance with the occupant and pets. Turlock Rural Fire District provided city coverage during the incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.