Fire broke out around 6:00 p.m. at a home on the 100 block of West Manheim Street.
The fire was brought under control in less than 30 minutes.
A woman escaped the home without injury.
Once the fire was contained, crews discovered more than 40 cats inside the house.
Animal control was called out to remove the animals.
Seven cats were dead on arrival and four others were severely injured and had to be euthanized.
The surviving animals are available for adoption at the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association.
The incident remains under investigation.
