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BRITT — Three cats were killed when a 51-year-old man set fire to his own home Friday, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said.
Authorities were called to the 8600 block of Donnywood Circle West, just off the Britt Bypass, when a neighbor reported flames coming out the window. The homeowner was founding walking nearby and he "made utterances to the deputies related to the house fire," leading to his arrest, the sheriff's office said.
The house sustained "severe fire, smoke and water damage" and the cats perished, but no people were injured. A monetary estimate was not immediately available.
The 51-year-old was booked on a preliminary charge of first-degree arson; the News Tribune generally does not identify suspects until they are formally charged.
The Pike-Sandy-Britt, Cook, Evergreen, Embarrass and Mountain Iron fire departments all responded, along with the Virginia Ambulance Service. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting in the investigation.
