Butler firefighters rescue pets Monday from an apartment building on fire on Center Avenue in Butler. The blaze, which started in the basement of the three-story building, left a woman and her 17-year-old daughter homeless.

A woman was left temporarily homeless Monday afternoon after a fire ignited in the basement of her three-story apartment building at 113 Center Ave., authorities said.

Jennifer Lacina managed to flee the fire unharmed.

Butler Fire Chief Nick Ban said he has asked the state police fire marshal to investigate but he had no reason to suspect the blaze was suspicious.

Damage initially was estimated at $3,000 to $5,000.

Lacina told authorities that about noon she noticed smoke in the more than 100-year-old brick building that is next to the former Elliott furniture store near the Wayne Street Viaduct.

She lives there with her 17-year-old daughter, who was at school at the time. Neighbors said the lone apartment encompasses the second and third floors.

Owner Paul Throm of Prospect apparently uses the first floor for storage.

Lacina, who appeared visibly shaken, remained nearby as firefighters poured in and out of the building. She declined to comment.

Neighbors said when the fire broke out, Lacina wasted little time getting out and getting help.

“She came flying out and got me,” said David Hinkle, who lives just yards away in another apartment building next to Lacina. “I called the fire department and then went down to check on it. It didn't seem bad.”

He said he bent down to get a better look.

“I heard crackling down there. I thought someone may be down there. That's when it started going crazy,” Hinkle said.

Smoke started billowing out the front of the building.

Lacina dashed upstairs and rescued her cat. Firefighters a short time later arrived and saved two other pets, a guinea pig and hamster that were in separate cages.

Ban said firefighters got into the apartment through a side door and quickly extinguished the blaze.

Throm showed up later and talked to fire officials. He said he has owned the building for about 20 years.

“They told me it started in the basement,” he said. “That's all I know. They don't know how it started.”

Throm said the building is insured.

The Butler chapter of the American Red Cross was called to assist the tenant with emergency needs.

Lacina and her daughter will be staying with family in the area, Ban said.