EVANS CITY — Four fire companies were called to Railroad Street at 10:48 a.m. today to respond to a house fire.

The home of Rich Barto and his wife and sons suffered smoke damage on the first and second floors as well as in the attic from a fire in the basement.

Capt. Steve Bicehouse of the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department said firefighters were able to contain the flames to the basement.

He said of the family's three cats, firefighters found one dead in the home, one was found outside alive, and another was missing as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Bartos and their two young sons were not at home when the blaze broke out. A neighbor called 911 upon seeing smoke coming from the second-story windows.

The fire was the fourth suffered by the family in eight years. The Bartos are insured.

Evans City, Callery, Zelienople and Harmony volunteer fire companies responded to the fire, as did Harmony EMS.