Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,922 posts)
Mon Jul 15, 2024, 08:04 PM Jul 2024

Cat alerts sleeping occupants to Md. house fire, official saysI'm

LOCAL CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Cat alerts sleeping occupants to Md. house fire, official says
The blaze broke out in a Montgomery County home.

By Martin Weil
July 15, 2024 at 4:06 a.m. EDT

It was the continued pawing of the cat that woke the sleeping occupants of the burning house on Sunday morning in Montgomery County, the fire department spokesman said.

It appeared that no standard smoke alarm was present in the townhouse in the Gaithersburg area, said Pete Piringer, the fire spokesman.

But alerted by the cat, the occupants of the house on West Side Drive eventually got out safely, Piringer said. … Despite efforts to rescue the cat, however, the animal perished, he said.

{snip}

An effort was made to carry the cat to safety. But the animal “jumped out” of the arms of his would-be rescuer, Piringer said. … The cat went back inside and died from the smoke, the spokesman said. The animal was a hero, Piringer said. … The animal’s name and other details could not be learned immediately.

By Martin Weil
Martin Weil is a longtime reporter at The Washington Post. Twitter https://x.com/martyweilwapost
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Maryland»Cat alerts sleeping occup...