PASADENA — A cat died, however no people were injured, in a large fire at an apartment building late Thursday, officials said.

The fire broke out shortly before 7:30 p.m. at a second-floor apartment in the 1000 block of East Villa Street, according to Pasadena Fire Department officials.

Firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the apartment when they arrived and called for additional engines to help with evacuations as they began dousing the blaze, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

Officials tried to resuscitate an unconscious cat that was discovered inside, but the animal died, she said.

After extinguishing the fire, all but two apartments in the 37-unit building could be re-occupied, officials said.

The owner of the apartment building, nearby Caltech, provided housing for the displaced residents of the two affected units, Derderian said.

Authorities estimated the value of the damage caused by the fire at about $150,000. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

PHOTO courtesy of the Pasadena Fire Department