Our pets have incredible instincts and can often detect dangers before their humans can, and are always looking out for their humans. You never know when your cat or dog will raise the alarm and save your life.
Like one hero cat, who saved her family from a fire before tragically dying from smoke inhalation.
On Sunday, a home fire broke out in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It was about 4 am, the homeowners were fast asleep and there were no smoke alarms in their home, which were removed for painting.
But miraculously, they managed to get out of the burning home in time — thanks to their pet cat, Prince.
According to Pete Piringer, spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service, the cat kept pawing the sleeping owners to wake them up. Once awake, the family found their home filled with thick smoke.
Unable to get out, they called 911 and alerted a resident of the home’s basement, who grabbed a painter’s ladder and placed it at their window so they could escape.
While all the humans made it out to safety, sadly the cat jumped out of his owner’s arms and ran back into the room, succumbing to smoke inhalation.
While Prince is gone, the family will always remember him as the hero cat who saved their lives. Piringer said the family is “giving full credit” for waking them up and allowing them to get out of the home in time.
“Pet owners believe the cat returned to the house to look for another person,” he added.
Hero Cat…. sleeping occupants are giving full credit to their cat named Prince for waking them up, alerting them to potentially deadly fire. With assistance from a basement resident everybody got out. Pet owners believe the cat returned to the house to look for another person. pic.twitter.com/1RDVRgxNNk
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 16, 2024
The fire reportedly originated from a freezer motor, and spread to their dishwasher and cabinets. The fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damage and displaced two residents, but there were no injuries or other deaths.
While it’s a miracle this family survived, Piringer said the story is an urgent reminder to keep smoke detectors in your home: “Many people think they will smell smoke & wake up if a fire occurs in their home, but this isn’t true. Fires can produce odorless gasses that are very toxic. Smoke alarms provide early warning so you can escape.”
Smoke Alarms Save Lives – The occupants of this TH house got out, Many people think they will smell smoke & wake up if a fire occurs in their home, but this isn’t true. Fires can produce odorless gasses that are very toxic. Smoke alarms provide early warning so you can escape. pic.twitter.com/dAznm4384g
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 15, 2024
Rest in peace to hero cat Prince, who tragically died after saving his family’s lives. Please share this story in memory of Prince.