Herald staff
OAK HARBOR – Whidbey Island authorities were on the lookout for a small, exotic cat that escaped from a burning home early Sunday morning, the Island County Sheriff’s Department said.
The serval is a grassland cat native to Africa. Although small, it may be aggressive to other pets in the area, sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Smith said.
Besides the serval, two emus -large flightless birds from Australia – and other household pets escaped, Smith said.
The animals may be loose on northeast Whidbey Island after the fire destroyed a home on Benton Place.
The single-story home burned after something the owner had been cooking got out of control, Smith said. The owner had minor injuries but was able to escape. Some of her other pets may have perished, Smith said.
A neighbor reported the fire in the house, which is at the end of a cul-de-sac. Flames could be seen at that time, Smith said. Fire District 2 units and personnel form Whidbey Island Naval Air Station responded to the fire.
Residents who spot the serval, which can be identified from its long, spotted body, should telephone 360-679-9567.
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