UNION TWP, Pa. - Firefighters spent the afternoon battling an occupied house fire in Lawrence County. 

The flames broke out around 2 p.m. Thursday at the home on Oakland Avenue. 

Fire officials say it was first called in as a porch fire. When they arrived on scene, flames were shooting out most of the windows. 

Two people inside were able to escape, but three cats are unaccounted for at this time. 

A front end loader was brought to the scene to knock down walls so firefighters could get to hot spots. 

The home is a total loss, officials said. A nearby house had its siding melted. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.