Montgomery County Fire & Rescue found more than 50 cats in an otherwise unoccupied home while responding to a fire around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue found more than 50 cats in an otherwise unoccupied home while responding to a fire around 1 p.m. Wednesday. (Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue) Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Montgomery County Fire & Rescue were able to save many of the cats that did not escape on their own. (Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue) Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Pete Piringer tweeted that the home had over $75,000 worth of damage from the fire, the house was condemned and the firefighters’ gear was contaminated. (Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue) Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue The cause of the fire — which was located in the basement of a one-story, single family home at 3402 Weller Road in Wheaton, Maryland — is still undetermined. (Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue) Courtesy of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue ( 1 /4) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

WASHINGTON — Montgomery County Fire & Rescue found more than 50 cats in an otherwise unoccupied home while responding to a fire around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The cause of the fire — which was located in the basement of a one-story, single family home at 3402 Weller Road in Wheaton, Maryland — is still undetermined.

Public Information Officer Pete Piringer tweeted that the home had over $75,000 worth of damage from the fire, the house was condemned and the firefighters’ gear was contaminated.

While many cats were rescued by Montgomery County Fire & Rescue or escaped on their own, Piringer tweeted that responders were dealing with multiple cat fatalities with the assistance of Animal Services.