Cat starts fire, leaves man homeless

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - One man is homeless after a cat reportedly knocked over a candle and started a fire in his apartment.

Dozens of his neighbors had to stand outside in the cold until firefighters permitted them to return to their apartments. The fire started in an apartment complex at 149 Sumner Avenue in Springfield around midnight.

Aide to the Fire Commissioner Dennis Leger told 22News it's believed that the cat knocked over a candle on the bed.

Firefighters contained the blaze to the one apartment even though the people living in dozens of other  apartments had to be evacuated.