Family cat dies in Petaluma garage fire

A garage fire in Petaluma Thursday that may have started near a washing machine killed a family cat and damaged the home.

The fire was reported just before 6 p.m. on East Madison Street.

Two teenagers who live in the single-story home with their mother discovered the fire, said Petaluma Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Holden.

The fire torched the garage and spread to the kitchen where it caused significant damage before it was extinguished, Holden said. There was also smoke damage throughout the house.

Petaluma firefighters rescued a pet Chihuahua from a bedroom, but found the cat dead, Holden said.

You can reach Staff Writer Nick Rahaim at 707-521-5203 or nick.rahaim@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nrahaim.