SALINA – The North Central Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the victims after a fire on Tuesday night at a home in Salina.

The family living in the residence at 1837 Simmons had been away for the Memorial Day weekend and had returned early Tuesday evening with several boxes containing items from a garage sale, according to Fire Inspector Troy Long.

One of those boxes was partially placed on a stovetop and the family left the home a short time later.

Just after 10 p.m., they returned and found visible smoke and flames coming from inside the home.

Long said that when the box was set on the stove, a burner was accidentally turned on. That box ignited, causing the house to catch fire.

The fire made its way out the back window and melted a power mast, causing a power line to short out and a breaker to blow, which cut electricity to several other nearby homes.

There were no injuries reported. Two cats died in the fire. Five others survived.

The home and its contents are said to be a total loss. Long said the home was a rental and the occupants did not have renters insurance.