CANADA – Firefighters pulled out all the stops just to save a British Columbia home and a few furry little occupants Saturday morning.
Flames and smoke were reportedly spewing from multiple areas of the house – on the border of the Langley City and Township – when firefighters arrived at the recently renovated rancher-style home on 44th Street at approximately 10 a.m. this morning.
A home in B.C. suffered extensive smoke damage during a blaze Saturday morning. Firefighters used oxygen masks to treat a few kittens saved from the house.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, however, the damage inside was extensive, deputy fire chief Russ Jenkins told the Langley Advance.
There were absolutely no people home at the time of the blaze, but fire crews did discover a number of pets inside – including three baby kittens they were able to pull to safety, Jenkins stated. He added that a few other pets did not make it.
Firefighters used the special pet oxygen masks on all three of kittens, then called Langley Animal Protection Society staff who rushed the kittens to a vet.
It’s the second fire in the neighborhood in the five years since Anngela Bayer moved into the area of 44th Avenue and 203rd Street five years ago.
The first fire occurred inside a vacant home up the street about four years ago, and now this one.
She and her husband Bob became a bit curious when the second fire truck screamed past their home and down the street.
“Usually, it’s a pretty calm neighborhood,” Bayer went on to say.
One of the weeks-old kittens was so small, even the special oxygen masks for animals fit over its head.
She was very impressed by the efforts made by fire crews to save the house, and to save the kittens, watching intently as they went ahead and administered the oxygen to the little critters.
“No life too small to save,” she stated.
It took about three hours for firefighters to suppress the fire itself, and another two to three hours to complete their investigation into the cause. Jenkins explained that he had yet to speak to the fire officials investigating, but said the cause was not believed to be suspicious.
Nevertheless, police had been asked to take over securing of the house and then notifying the occupants.
Mountain View Veterinary Hospital sent word that Dr. Henderson has taken the kittens home with her and is currently tube feeding them. It should also be noted that they are working along with the Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS).
