UPDATED: Velcro the Cat Rescued, Treated for Smoke Inhalation After Lake Hills Apartment Fire

Velcro the cat was recovering from burns and smoke inhalation Wednesday, after Bellevue fire fighters rescued her following an apartment fire in Lake Hills, according to the Bellevue Fire Department.

"The cat is currently doing OK, but cases of smoke inhalation are always concerning," said veterinarian Conran Kornmann of , the 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic where fire fighters took Velcro after the blaze, which broke out around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, a neighbor reported the the fire, which caused $60,000 damage to a unit at the Sammamish View Apartments in the 16100 block of Southeast Eastgate Way, said Bellevue Fire Department Lt. Troy Donlin.

The fire appears to have started in or around the dryer and quickly spread throughout the laundry closet and into an apartment hallway, Donlin said.

There were no injuries to firefighters or residents, he said.

On Wednesday, Bellevue fire investigators combed the scene for clues about the fire’s origin, but the cause is believed to be accidental, he said.

The apartment residents were not at home at the time and occupants in the adjoining apartment units were able to escape safely, he said. Despite smoke damage, neighbors were able to return to their apartments and the three residents of the damaged apartment will stay with friends until their apartment is repaired, Donlin said.

After extinguishing the fire, crews searched the apartment and found the 12-year-old cat, which was having trouble breathing, Donlin said.

"It was barely alive," he said.

Crews at the scene gave the animal oxygen and took it to the veterinary clinic, Donlin said.

Velcro also suffered burns to her body, Kornmann said.

Velcro was being treated in an oxygen chamber and being observed to make sure her airway was clear.

However, Wednesday Kornmann said that Velcro's condition was improving, which was a good sign.

"She's is better condition now than when she was brought in."