A group of British firefighters are hailed as heroes for rescuing two cats from a flame – and placing specially designed pet oxygen masks on their faces, according to a report.
Firefighters responded on Saturday around 3pm to a fire in Runcorn, an industrial town south-east of Liverpool, where they fought the flames on the ground floor of the two-storey building, the Liverpool Echo reported.
The human occupants were not injured, but the two cats needed medical treatment after the test.
Photos published by Runcorn Fire Station show two of the smoke consumers who tie cats in towels while administering oxygen from pet-friendly masks.
“Thanks to our equipment provided by Smokey Paws and training from the Willows Veterinary Group, we were able to deliver oxygen before the cats were transported to the vets,” the department said in a Facebook post.
The non-profit Smokey Paws offers special masks to UK fire services.
The group said on its website that “46% of households in the UK have pets and with over 40,000 fires a year, it is unfortunate that pets die from smoke inhalation”.
An incident report released by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said four firefighters using respirators extinguished the blaze.
An update released on Sunday said the cats were doing well.
Rapid-fire firefighters received awards for their response simply.
“Well done and thank you for saving the lives of these small and beautiful souls,” wrote a Facebook user.
Another said, “Well done red watch, you all deserve a medal.”