Damages are estimated at a quarter of a million dollars following an early morning fire on Monday.
Belleville firefighters responded just before 3 a.m. to 6 South Park Street for a vehicle fire that spread to a nearby duplex.
Department Fire Inspector Norm Mitts gives credit to an alert neighbour who noticed the car on fire in the driveway and entered the duplex to wake the eight occupants.
Firefighters were able to rescue a number of the family’s cats while another is unaccounted for.
The fire spread to the roof of the duplex and caused significant damage. Two floors of the building also have extensive smoke and water damage.
The property was fully insured and working smoke alarms were installed throughout the dwellings.
The cause of the car fire was undetermined and police crews remained on site until mid-afternoon Monday.
The car is a total loss.
