The residents of a Palatine home were fortunately not home Tuesday afternoon as a fire with heavy smoke caused the family cat to perish and left the home uninhabitable. 

The call came in at noon Tuesday, November 20 from a passer-by, who reported smoke coming from the tri-level, single family home located at 229 E. Cedarwood Court. 

Palatine firefighters were on the scene within minutes, and began to extinguish the fire and ventilate for smoke and other gases.

It was declared under control at 12:11 p.m. During a search, it was discovered a cat in the residence succumbed to heavy smoke.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and estimates on damage were not immediately available. 

The Palatine Fire Department reminds residents to ensure smoke detectors are functioning, have furnaces and heating appliances checked and to properly dispose of all smoking materials.