WESTPORT — The dogs and cats rescued from a fire that ripped through the upper level of a building housing a Post Road East animal boarding business have been moved to quarters unaffected by the blaze, fire officials said Thursday morning.

About 50 animals were boarding at the Townhouse for Dogs & Cats, 1040 Post Road East, when fire broke out about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday.

“Two dogs that belonged to the owners regretfully perished in the second-floor apartment that was involved in the fire,” Fire Chief Michael Kronick said in the Thursday statement.

The rest of the dogs and cats “are safe and being cared for by the staff,” the statement added.

Bengal cat found after getting loose

However, the owner of an 8-year-old Bengal cat named Leo — one of her two cats being boarded at the Townhouse — said that as the cat was being “transported for safety during the chaos, [he] got out. He is still missing and is in a very unfamiliar part of town,” Stephanie Thorburn Kresge, the owner, said early Thursday morning.

But with the help of an “amazing community” that mobilized to help look for Leo, he was found shortly after 11 a.m., a relieved Kresge reported.

Upgraded fire detectors saved lives

Meanwhile, fire officials are crediting a recently upgraded fire-detection system in the building for helping alert three residents who lived in a second-floor apartment to escape the blaze.

The residents were awakened by sounding smoke detectors, and although the apartment exit was blocked by flames, they were able to jump from the second floor without serious injuries, according to the fire report.

“This drives home the importance of having working smoke alarms in your homes or place of business,” Fire Marshal Nate Gibbons said in the statement.

The Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate the incident for the cause of the fire.

Officials said that pet owners should contact Townhouse for Dogs & Cats owners Mel and Sandy Goldman at 203-227-3276 for more information.