Woman and 18 cats survive Fresno Co. house fire

The fire broke out just after 4 p.m. on Van Ness and Swift in Old Fig Garden. Forty-three firefighters responded to the blaze.

When they got there, smoke was coming out of the second floor of the home.

Crews had a tough time getting inside because they say the woman who lives there is hoarding her personal belongings.

Eighteen cats were reported inside the home, firefighters initially thought three had died, but the cats were later resuscitated.

The cause is under investigation.