Maplewood firefighters and multiple assisting agencies battled a large residential fire Sunday morning that left the home uninhabitable, with external damage to a neighboring property.

Authorities say they were first dispatched to the 300 block of Highpoint Curve South at 10:12 a.m. after receiving reports of a dwelling fire.

Firefighters discovered the blaze had started in an attached garage that was by then fully engulfed in flames. The flames spread to the rest of the house and threatened a neighboring home. Crews worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading as thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the area for several miles. Maplewood Fire Department personnel received backup from Saint Paul, North St. Paul, White Bear Lake and Oakdale Fire Departments.

Despite the intensity of the blaze, no civilians or firefighters were injured. First responders managed to rescue a cat from the home, safely returning it to the owners after the fire was brought under control. Fire officials report that working smoke alarms inside the residence alerted the occupants, allowing them to evacuate safely before crews arrived.

But the home suffered significant fire, smoke and water damage throughout, rendering it uninhabitable. Flames had spread rapidly and by the time the fire was extinguished, much of the structure had been compromised. The neighboring property, which was initially at risk of catching fire, sustained only external damage and its residents were able to return home later in the day.

Firefighters remained on scene until shortly after 2 p.m. to ensure it was fully extinguished and to monitor any potential hotspots. The Maplewood Fire Department and the Ramsey County Fire Investigations Team are now investigating the cause and origin of the fire, which is standard procedure.

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