A house in the southern end of Pennington Borough sustained major damage Monday afternoon from a fire started by an overheated lawnmower in the garage.

   The blaze was at the 4 Ingleside Ave. residence occupied by Jason W. Squietieri and his family. The structure actually sits at the corner of Ingleside and South Main Street, across from the Hopewell Valley Regional School District’s Administration Building.

   No people were injured in the fire. A family cat died of smoke inhalation in the basement.

   Pennington Police Director William Meytrott said Tuesday morning that the fire broke out at 2:50 p.m.

   The alarm was called in by a family member who had just finished cutting grass.

   ”The lawnmower caught fire after he left it,” Director Meytrott said. “It spread to the garage and family room.”

   Director Meytrott said the house is not a total loss, but was extensively damaged by fire, smoke and water.

   The Hopewell Valley Emergency Services Unit responded, along with fire departments from Pennington, Hopewell and Lawrence.