A young Sturgis family escaped a fire that gutted the basement and caused major smoke damage to their home Tuesday night.

Jolene Tatro and her children were able to get out of the house at 1334 Fourth St. in Sturgis when a fire began in a basement bedroom shortly after 7 p.m., according to Roan Koan, chief of the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department.

No one was injured. However, two pet cats died of smoke inhalation, he said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Koan said.

The fire did major damage to the basement and floor joists and caused significant smoke damage to the rest of the house, Koan said

Crews quickly extinguished the flames after getting the call at 7:25 p.m.

Tatro and her children are staying with relatives, Koan said.