A total of 27 cats were found dead inside a Spokane Valley home where a kitchen fire broke out on Wednesday. The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a reported house fire near North Avalon just before 1 p.m. Crews quickly knocked down the fire in the kitchen, but found "a large number" of dead cats inside the house. The total number of cats was later determined to be 27. Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) responded to the home to assist the homeowner. No people were inside the home at the time of the fire, according to SVFD. The cause of the fire is under investigation.