HUGHESVILLE – Elyse Wright, 28, discovered a fire behind Maurica George’s home when she came outside to feed the birds last Tuesday evening.

Wright ran to the burning structure and frantically pounded on the victim’s front door as she called 911 about 5:50 p.m.

George lived alone with her three cats, according to neighbors. Firemen said the cats survived the fire. A neighbor, who lives across from the burning home, said she became aware of the fire by Wright’s shouts.

“Once she got out of the house, she stayed out,” the neighbor said of the victim who was very distraught after her ordeal.

Flames were already shooting through the roof when volunteer firefighters began arriving on the scene. Volunteers from Muncy Area, Hughesville, Picture Rocks, Pennsdale and Clinton Township joined forces to battle the fire, which burned out of control for about an hour.

At one point, firefighters were briefly removed from the structure because there was concern about a possible collapse.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross was providing emergency assistance to the fire victim. George had fire insurance.The cause of the fire is still being investigated.