KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)- The Knoxville Fire Department battled a large house fire in the Sequoyah Hills area Monday night.

Fire crews were called to the home on Boxwood Square, near Kingston Pike, around 10:30 p.m.

According to Captain DJ Corcoran with the Knoxville Fire Department, the couple inside the home were getting ready to go to sleep when they heard the fire alarm go off.

Firefighters said the fire appears to be accidental, but an exact cause is still under investigation. They said they're focusing their investigation on the left-hand outside wall of the home, where it appears to have started and then climbed through the roof. The home is a total loss.

Homeowner Steve Miller said he and his wife made it out okay, but had to leave their six cats behind. Firefighters later found the body of one of the cats, and Miller found another one alive in the bedroom. They're still looking for the four others.

"I'd like to tell the people of Sequoya Hills that if some of them did get out and they find them, we'd appreciate if they'd let us know," said Miller.