The Portage la Prairie Fire Department, EMS, and local RCMP responded to a house fire Wednesday afternoon on 9th St NE. The house was occupied by a lone elderly man and his pet cat.
Neighbour Eric Charbonneau shares what he witnessed..
"I came outside for a smoke, and there was nothing. So, after another twenty minutes, I came out for another smoke, and heard a big bang. I noticed all the firetrucks, and the house was in flames."
![Eric Charbonneau](https://golden-west-content.s3.amazonaws.com/inline-images/Eric%20Charbonneau.jpg)
Charbonneau notes he personally did not know the man very well, but chatted on various occasions now and then.
"He was always in his house. He had a little cat and the fire department said his cat didn't make it. And he's in a little bit of rough shape."
Ambulance took the occupant away to the local hospital.
No further information is available.