A cat alerted family members to a house fire early Sunday northeast of Durango, according to the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District.

The fire was reported shortly before 3:56 a.m. in the 13400 block of Florida Road (County Road 240) near the Trew Creek subdivision.

The fire started in a bedroom of the two-story home. A door to the bedroom was closed, and family members kept the door closed and exited the home, according to a news release from the fire department.

The house did not have working smoke detectors, but the cat was somehow able to alert occupants of the home of the fire, according to the release. Upper Pine Fire Chief Bruce Evans did not immediately return a phone call Monday seeking additional information about how the cat alerted family members.

Firefighters found 10-foot flames spewing from the roof and a window, according to the release.

They arrived with two engines, two water tenders and two ambulances. Durango Fire Protection District responded with an additional water tender.

The fire was started by a space heater, according to the release.

“This time of year, with Christmas trees, space heaters and fireplaces running, it is critical that there are working smoke detectors throughout your home,” Evans said in the release. “Hopefully people have seen how quickly trees or other holiday decorations can spread fire in (a) home.”

Red Cross responded and provided assistance with temporary housing.

The “alert cat” and family members survived without injuries, according to the release, but another cat died in the fire.

shane@durangoherald.com