Having lived in Mount Vernon since 2018, Judith Gardner has become acquainted with the varying siren sounds.

Hearing the fire trucks blaring as loudly as they did around 4:20 p.m. Thursday, though, horrified the 84-year-old.

“It sounded like the world was coming to an end,” Gardner said.

Gardner peaked out the window of her condo to see a thick cloud of smoke billowing from a rowhome across from her building.

The Baltimore City Fire Department was dispatched to 1226 St. Paul St. for a dwelling fire with heavy smoke, spokesperson Rashad Singletary said in an email.

Baltimore City firefighters rescued a dark gray cat from the three-alarm fire in Mount Vernon, officials said. There were no reported injuries.

At least a dozen engines crowded East Preston and St. Paul streets as firefighters battled thick smoke blasting from the yellow rowhome.

The 1200 block of St. Paul Street was inaccessible Thursday evening as firefighters worked. The fire was contained around 5:30 p.m., officials said.

Singletary said there was no one in the dwelling, and they’re investigating displacements and the fire’s origin.

As horrifying and alarming as watching the fire was, Gardner was struck by witnessing Baltimore City firefighters in action.

“My heart stopped for a minute when I saw the first two firemen climb the ladder,” she said. “Seeing those first two firemen walk that ladder into that space … just made me stare and think how incredibly brave the firemen are.”