Emergency crews went to 384 O'Connell Drive in East Hartford on Tuesday morning to put out a fire and ended up rescuing 26 animals from the home.
Crews received the call at 9:55 a.m. and two women were inside the house when fire was spotted, Assistant Chief William Perez said.
One of them was trying to get several of the many animals out of the house.
With help from emergency crews, 12 dogs and 14 cats were rescued. Some were treated with special pet oxygen masks and 13 cats went to Charter Oak Veterinary Hospital in East Hartford to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire started in the kitchen area and preliminary reports are that the cause accidental.
The home has heavy damage is an uninhabitable, officials said.
The fire marshal is investigating.
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