TUPPER LAKE — A structure fire Sunday morning destroyed the single-family residence at 66 Cedar St. The homeowner was able to make it out on her own without injury.

There were no injuries to firefighters, although two cats who lived there died. Firefighters attempted to revive the two cats, using oxygen masks specially made for pets, but it was too late.

The fire was first reported at 8:39 a.m. Sunday. Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Royce Cole said that when firefighters arrived on scene, there was heavy fire on the back of the house.

“We were able to pull a couple of lines quickly to try to knock the fire down as best as possible until we could get more personnel there,” he said. “I automatically called Paul Smiths for more manpower. They arrived and we had to do significant overhaul in the roof. It was in the roof, so we had to cut the roof and it was a tedious fire for a while.”

The Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded with two engine trucks, a tanker truck and about 25 members. The Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department responded with manpower, bringing two trucks and 12 members. The Piercefield Volunteer Fire Department stood by with an engine truck and manpower at Tupper Lake’s fire station while the fire was extinguished.

Cole said that although the flames were knocked down relatively quickly, it took about four hours to extinguish the hotspots, given their locations throughout the roof areas. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Franklin County Cause and Origin Team as of press time Monday, according to Cole.

The Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to the homeowner, who was displaced. Tupper Lake Baptist Chapel Senior Pastor Sam Perkins is also helping to coordinate aid for the victim.

He said that while it’s good-natured and intuitive to want to reach out directly to the victim and offer help, that can be inundating in the immediate aftermath of such a tragedy. He said Red Cross is working with the victim, and it could take several days to determine what resources are needed, what the Red Cross can provide and what other donations are needed.

“She’s just gone through the most overwhelming experience of her entire life, probably, up to this point,” Perkins said. “People need to be in prayer for her (and) be ready, willing and able at the drop of a hat to help her out. But wait for her to ask for it and articulate what exactly she needs.”

He has been in contact with the victim since Sunday morning, when he went to the scene of the fire. Perkins was getting ready for services when one of his congregants told him a fire had broken out.

“I scooted over there as fast as I could,” he said. “I got in contact with her just walking up and saying, ‘Hey, I’m the local pastor and our church is here for you.'”

Perkins began serving as the chapel’s senior pastor about four months ago and moved to Tupper Lake from rural Texas, where he grew up and spent three years as a pastor, lending a hand in similar crisis aid situations. He said those wanting to help are welcome to reach out to him directly. His contact information is available at tupperlakebc.org.