A 19-year-old woman escaped through a second-floor, bedroom window after a two-alarm fire broke out in her home at 12:38 p.m. April 29.

While the teen was lucky enough to find an exit, several animals reportedly died in the fire at 3177 Bellview Road, North Whitehall Township.

Volunteer firefighters from Neffs, Schnecksville, Laurys Station, Greenawalds and Tri-Clover, along with Lehigh County’s Cascade Unit 3292 and Northern Valley Ambulance Corps personnel and the Macungie Ambulance Incident Support Unit responded to the scene.

Neffs Fire Chief Jim Steward told The Press at the scene the woman escaped through the window with help from a neighbor and a passer-by.

She was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, Steward stated.

“Several cats and a guinea pig perished in the fire,” Steward said. “Several others cats went to Highland Animal Hospital, Slatington, and an emergency animal clinic (Valley Central Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center) in Fullerton.”

Kristie Wilk, executive director of Northern Valley Ambulance Corps, also spoke with The Press about the three cats she transported to Highland Animal Hospital.

“Two of the cats were panting and having trouble breathing,” Wilk said.

“The third one appeared to breathing on its own.”

Steward said the fire was called under control at 1:20 p.m.

“The fire started on the first floor of the home,” he said. “It is not suspicious.”

Steward emailed The Press the day after the fire.

“After investigating the fire yesterday, Fire Marshal Don Jacobs determined the fire was accidental and the cause is related to an electrical issue in the kitchen,” Steward wrote.

Steward said three people lived in the home, the 19-year-old, and her parents Michael and Veronica Scocca.

The American Red Cross of Greater Lehigh Valley is assisting the family.

According to American Red Cross Disaster Program Specialist Kris Dumschat via phone call to The Press on April 30, the family was issued a client assistance card, which provides money for lodging, clothing and personal items.

“What determines the amount of financial support on the card is determined by what the family needs,” he said adding a caseworker will also be working with the family.

State police, Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team, PPL Electric and Belfor Property Restoration also assisted at the scene.

AWP Area Wide Protective, a traffic safety company, and local fire police helped direct traffic at the scene.