UPDATE: Fire officials said multiple cats died in the fire, and one was found in the bushes after the fire was extinguished.

UPDATE: The house on Sunset Lane in Rome where a fire broke out just after 3:30 p.m. has been deemed a total loss.

As of 5:15 p.m., fire crews remained on scene as smoke continued to pour from the house. They say that when they arrived, the entire back of the house was engulfed in flames. 

Officials say one female homeowner lives at the house, but she was not home when the fire broke out. It’s believed that several cats live at the home as well, but so far fire crews have not found any sign of them.

The local American Red Cross has been notified to assist the homeowner.

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ROME – Fire crews are working to put out a house fire in the city of Rome this afternoon.

The fire at 8394 Sunset Lane was first reported at 3:36 p.m. Thursday, according to the Oneida County 911 Center.

Crews arrived on scene to find the house fire fully involved. As of 4:30 p.m., NEWSChannel 2 crews on scene reported that several fire departments are still working to put out the flames.

We will provide more information as it becomes available.