A cat died in a house fire on Meadow Wood Drive Thursday morning, but officials said a rapid response by firefighters helped limit heavy damage to the kitchen area. North Stonington volunteer firefighters were called to the home at 15 Meadow Wood Drive at 11:05 a.m. after a motorist reported seeing smoke coming from the dwelling. Members of the department, who were on call at the nearby Emergency Services Building for North Stonington Ambulance, quickly shifted gears and a team of three arrived within a few minutes, according to Assistant Fire Chief James Tuttle. "Smoke was showing when we arrived and a first alarm was sounded," Tuttle said. "We were able to extend a line into the kitchen and when the next crew arrived, they began attacking a section on the back section of the home that the fire had extended to."