PROVO — Fire investigators believe electrical equipment located in the front room of a Provo woman's home caused the blaze Sunday that killed more than 30 of her cats.

"We found that there is an older wiring system in the front room of the home, and it was connected to some electrical equipment," said Provo City Fire Marshal Jim Guynn. "We believe they may have caused the accident, and we believe the origin of the fire was in that living room."

Maryann Whatcott, 79, was at home Sunday when she heard the fire alarm going off and was able to escape without injury.

Unfortunately, a large number of her pets were unable to get out of the home as the fire spread quickly through the first floor of the home.

"When our first unit got to the home, which was three minutes after the call, the first floor was heavily engulfed, and there was smoke throughout the home," said Provo Fire Capt. Lynn Schofield. "For the conditions, the fire moved pretty quick."

Some 21 cats died in the fire Sunday, four others were euthanized and Monday seven more were found dead inside the home.

Neighbors said they saw at least eight cats flee the house during the fire, and investigators found three more alive on Monday. At least 10 cats, which survived the blaze, are in the animal shelter, and animal control has set live traps inside the home because more cats can be heard inside.

It is estimated that Whatcott had 102 cats living with her until the last few weeks when neighbors helped her transfer 52 of them to a local animal shelter. Neighbors say that she started taking in the cats just a few years ago."She saw them in the cold weather, and they were hungry so she took them in and loved them," said neighbor and friend Shirley LeFevre.

LeFevre has known Whatcott for over 40 years, and says that the home has been a part of Whatcott's family since 1935. She also said that although there were a lot of cats, Whatcott's home was clean and well kept.LeFevre said she saw Whatcott on Monday and she appeared devastated."She was really upset," LeFevre said. "And I was really upset, but she just told me to not to fret about it. I just hope they get the babies out of there. It makes me so sad."

The fire department is slated to return to the home today and will continue to investigate the scene and hopefully save any cats that might still be alive inside the home.

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