Yes the story IS real.
I live about 50 miles from Port Angeles, one of our local papers is their city paper, The Peninsula Daily News.
Very sad.... The firemen were returning from a call when they drove by the apartment complex and saw smoke. Had they not stopped when they did the cat that was trapped inside the apt. would have died. The cat is under the care of a local vet now and hopefully will find a good home. I am unable to access the newspapers website so unfortunately can't give you a link. If I were the Judge I think I would have added Animal Abuse charge in there too.