The Rivierenland Fire Service rescued and resuscitated a cat during a fire at a house in Mechelen (Antwerp Province). A bicycle battery that was charging triggered the blaze. Residents managed to get out in time, but the poor feline was still stuck inside. Thanks to the firefighters’ efforts, the cat survived, much to the delight of its owners. The house itself is currently uninhabitable!
Fire-fighters resuscitate cat in Mechelen blaze: “We're here to save people and animals!”
The fire broke out around 5 am in a house in a street in Mechelen and was caused by a bicycle battery catching fire. When the fire brigade arrived, the fire was spreading at the back of the house. The residents managed to get out in time, but the cat had fled upstairs.
“When we found the cat, it was in a very bad way,” says Hans de Bont of the Rivierenland Fire Brigade. “The cat was barely breathing. We then administered oxygen using our medical kit – which we also use on humans – and stimulated its chest.”
After a few minutes, the animal once again showed signs of life, and after half an hour it regained consciousness. “We then wrapped it in an aluminium blanket to make sure it didn’t get hypothermia. The pet’s owner later took the cat to the vet,” says De Bont.
No specific training
Firefighters had not received any specific training to resuscitate animals rescued from a fire. “We have, however, learnt how to approach an animal in distress, for example, or how to rescue a horse that has fallen into a ditch. We also more and more often come into contact with exotic animals, like snakes.”
Nor was it the first time the firefighters had had to resuscitate an animal. "Unfortunately, it does happen a few times a year. And there are also animals that don’t make it. But this time everyone was happy. We’re here to help and rescue people and animals, and this time it was a successful operation."