The woman's second-story apartment in a 10-unit complex in the 8100 block of Lemon Avenue caught fire around 4:30 a.m., according to Heartland fire spokesman Sonny Saghera.

Paramedics took the woman to UCSD Medical Center for breathing problems related to smoke inhalation, he said.

Her cat was later found dead, the spokesman said, adding that the feline was overcome by smoke.

A firefighter suffered a minor injury while fighting the blaze and was treated at the scene, Saghera said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Damage was estimated at $170,000, according to Saghera, who said the blaze did not spread beyond the woman's unit.

Though only one unit was charred, Saghera said other residents may be displaced due to a lack of electricity.