COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Firefighters responded to a residential fire that left one cat dead Tuesday afternoon in Columbus. Firefighters with the Columbus Fire Department were called around 2:51 p.m. to the 6100 block of Pelican Lane after a neighbor told dispatch they observed smoke emanating from the home. As fire crews arrived on the scene, they reportedly observed smoke emerging from the garage and more smoke was also visible from the eaves surrounding the home. It was at this time that one of the home's occupants returned and informed firefighters that two cats were inside the home, CFD said. Image provided by Columbus Fire Department. Image provided by Columbus Fire Department. Image provided by Columbus Fire Department. CFD confirmed that the homeowners were not present when the fire erupted. Fire crews proceeded to force entry into one of the home's back doors while a ventilation team utilized a ladder to reach the home's roof. From that location, CFD said the firefighters created a vent to "expel hot gases from the smoke-filled attic space." Fire crews were met with scorching temperatures and a large amount of smoke when they entered the home. They managed to find their way thanks to a thermal imaging camera that assisted them as they navigated high heat signatures and low visibility conditions. While inside the home, CFD said fire crews located two cats, with one of them being pronounced dead on the scene by emergency personnel due to smoke inhalation. The other pet received medical treatment inside a Columbus Regional Health Ambulance. After receiving oxygen, the cat was stabilized and reunited with the homeowner. The fire is estimated to have caused around $150,000 worth of damage. CFD reported observing plastic furnishing and wooden cabinets that had melted due to the extreme heat. Although the fire damage is in the early stages of its investigation, CFD said it believes the flames were "starved" of oxygen and this caused the intensity of the fire to begin to reduce. While CFD noted that it believes it has correctly identified the origin of the fire, the exact cause is unknown at this time and remains under investigation. The Columbus Police Department, Columbus Township Fire and Rescue, Columbus Regional Health, Duke Energy, Center Point Energy, Columbus City Utilities and Bartholomew County 911 Dispatch Center assisted at the scene of the fire.