A fire Sunday evening has claimed the lives of two cats and left several people without a home. 

The fire broke out at around 6:30 p.m. yesterday in a two-and-a-half-storey multi-family residence in the 300 block of Manitoba Avenue.   

Heavy smoke was pouring out of the home when crews arrived. It took firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control.  

All occupants of the home were able to safely self-evacuate, and no injuries were reported. However, a search of the home led firefighters to a pair of deceased cats. 

The City of Winnipeg's Emergency Social Services team attended to help residents find temporary accommodations.

 The cause of the fire remains under investigation.