Seven dogs and a cat die in Syracuse house fire

Syracuse, N.Y. - Seven dogs and a cat died in a house fire on Thursday night on Syracuse’s North Side, according to the city’s fire department.

A man, the only resident of the home, was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. He is still in the hospital this morning according to Capt. Erik Caster, a spokesperson for the department.

The fire reported shortly after 6 p.m. caused significant damage to the first and second floor of the home at 144 Greenland Drive.

The fire started in a first-floor family room, firefighters said.

The resident escaped on his own, but was quickly taken to Upstate University Hospital, said Syracuse Fire Deputy Chief Nick Pagano.

Firefighters rescued two dogs from the home, Pagano said. Further searches found seven dogs and a cat who died in the fire,