One man was sent to hospital in serious condition Thursday night following a house fire in Mount Pearl.
The fire was reported by neighbours who spotted smoke coming from the rear of the two-unit home at 198 Park Avenue at about 5:30 p.m.
When firefighters arrived, they had to force their way in to the door of the rear unit of the house where they found the man face down just inside the smoke-filled structure. They immediately moved him to the outside so he could receive medical attention.
A cat also escaped the house under its own power. Firefighters then began attacking the fire which was burning in the kitchen area and had it under control in minutes.
The victim, thought to be in his forties, was moved to a waiting ambulance where he was treated by several paramedics before being taken to hospital.
No cause for the blaze has been determined and the incident is under investigation by the RNC.
