(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte family was driven from their home by fire last evening.

Firefighters just before 7:30 p.m. were called to the 500 block of Virginia St. where flames and smoke were showing from one of the windows.

La Porte Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Burke said all of the occupants and most of their pets made it safely out of the two story structure, but two cats perished.

Burke said the flames were mostly contained to one room but there was heat and smoke damage throughout the residence.

He said the residents won’t be able to move back in until the repairs are made.

“The heat and smoke damage alone makes that so that you can’t occupy it,” he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  Burke estimated the loss in the tens of thousands of dollars.