Exotic animals, other pets were inside burning Pittsburgh home

PITTSBURGH — Smoke poured from a burning home with pets, including exotic animals, inside in Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington neighborhood Wednesday morning, officials said.

>>PHOTOS: Pittsburgh home burns with exotic animals, other pets inside

Firefighters were called shortly after 6:30 a.m. to the home on Edgemont Street.

The glow of flames inside the home could be seen through a window when Channel 11 News got to the scene.

Investigators said the fire started in the basement and spread up the walls to the roof.

“I was looking out my window and I noticed there was a flash coming from across the street downstairs in the living room area. As I was watching, it kind of got dim, then bright, and it got super bright. And before you knew it, there were flames and smoke coming out of the downstairs,” Raymond Brown, a neighbor, said.

Two people got out of the home safely.

Also inside the home were exotic pets -- including a snake, a scorpion and a tarantula -- as well as dogs and a cat. The homeowners said the cat did not survive.

Firefighters were seen carrying reptiles out of the home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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