A fire caused the death of two pet cats and $40,000 worth of damage Tuesday.

The fire erupted in the basement of a home located at 310 S. Seventh St., according to a DeKalb Fire Department press release.

Though the direct cause of the fire is unknown, the DeKalb Fire Department said the likely area of origin was near an electrical outlet in the basement of the home.

The fire spread into the stairwell and up into the first-floor kitchen area.

No one was in the house at the time of the fire except for the two cats. No firefighters or civilians were injured.

A resident of the house came home, saw smoke and called the fire department.

Firefighters were called around 3:14 p.m. and were able to get it under control within a couple of minutes, DeKalb Fire Chief Lanny Russell said.

There was heavy smoke in both the basement and first floor of the house, Russell said.

Most of the fire damage was in the basement, near the area directly above the washing machine.

Firefighters had to break windows near the front of the house and put a fan in front of the side door in order to get the smoke out and let air flow through the house, Russell said.

There were 28 firefighters at the scene, along with four fire trucks and one ambulance. DeKalb and Sycamore Police also were present.

The fire still is under investigation.J.D. Piland photo

Firefighters were called to a fire at about 3:14 p.m. and were able to get it under control within a couple of minutes.