Cat blamed for fire during eclipse in Canton

CANTON , Ohio (WJW) – A Canton woman told firefighters that one of her 37 cats was to blame for a kitchen fire sparked during a very rare total solar eclipse in Northeast Ohio.

According to Division Chief Steve Henderson, firefighters were called out to the home in the 600 block of 225th Street NW at 2:45 p.m. on April 8. Just a half hour before the Moon perfectly aligned between the Sun and Earth to cast a shadow across parts of Northeast Ohio.

When crews arrived, they said, they found a woman outside of the home that said one of her cats turned on a burner on the stovetop. She also said, she tried to put the fire out with a towel but was unsuccessful.

According to a press release, firefighters quickly extinguish the flames. While fighting the fire, crews found 37 cats in the home. All the cats survived, officials said, but several were given oxygen for smoke inhalation.

Chief Henerson said, one firefighter suffered minor injuries.

The damage to the home and property is estimated at $9,000, according to a release.

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