Photos: Seattle Firefighters Resuscitate Cat at Scene of Fire

Seattle firefighters searching a condo complex after putting out a fire on Friday saw a cat dish in one unit and located the cat, who was overcome from smoke inhalation and barely breathing, hiding under its owner’s bed. They were able to revive the cat outside with the use of a pet oxygen mask.

Here is the story, as reported by the Seattle, WA Fire Department:

March 22- A Seattle Fire Investigator determined the cause of a North Seattle condominium fire was accidental. A motorcycle’s electrical system caught fire and the flames spread to a nearby car and a dumpster and then extended to the 4-story building.

The first 911 call came into the Fire Alarm Center at 10:55 a.m. The caller reported a motorcycle on fire and the flames spreading. Engine Company 39 arrived and found the flames had spread to a dumpster, to the roof of the garage and to the side of the building. The flames burned up the side of the building and extended to the roof. Two condo units suffered extensive fire damage.

While firefighters attacked the fire from the outside from the inside and from the roof, other crews went door-to-door and evacuated all of the residents. Firefighters from Ladder Company 9 rescued a woman and her baby who were trapped inside their fourth-floor apartment by the heavy smoke.

Crews also evacuated several animals including cats and dogs. After extinguishing the heavy flames inside a fourth floor apartment, firefighters from Engine Company 16 found a cat dish and searched for the owner’s pet. Under a bed, the crew found a cat that was barely breathing. Firefighters used a pet oxygen mask to revive the cat and restore the pet’s breathing. A relative of the owner did pick up the cat and will reunite the cat with the owner.

It took about an hour to fully extinguish the flames. Two condo units suffered extensive damage and about four others had smoke and heat damage. The Red Cross was called to assist with temporary housing for the displaced residents. Residents of the other units were allowed to reoccupy their condos.

The damage to the condo complex is estimated at $250,000.

There were no reported injuries.