Firefighters responded to San Diego's South Bay after reports Wednesday afternoon of a house fire which turned into a rescue mission for a cat seen scaling the roof.
Fire crews knocked down the main body of the fire about an hour after it started. The home was destroyed, displacing four adults, 15 cats and one dog that managed to escape the blaze, SDFD said.
Fire crews first responded to report of a fire around 3:18 p.m. at a two-story home located at 2243 Conifer Ave. in the Palm City neighborhood of San Diego, according to the SDFD.
A man who was in the home exited safely but alerted firefighters about several cats inside, SDFD said. About a half dozen cats did not survive, according to SDFD Battalion Chief Chad Willenberg.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
Footage from NBC San Diego showed thick and dark-colored smoke rushing through openings of the house, not far from where a slim black cat appeared to be walking up the roof.
A firefighter climbed onto the roof and reached for the small black cat, but it scurried down the other side of the roof and into the smoke.
“Animals are a lot different than humans. When we go rescue them they tend to run away," Willenberg said.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
Such was the case for that little feline. Firefighters pursued it but couldn’t risk a collapse.
"As they were getting onto the roof, their tool went through the roof, which made it unsafe for them to walk on," he said.
“Animals are inherently capable of scaling fences, getting out of windows and doors under their own power," Willenberg added.
As it turned out, this fearless feline managed a self-rescue from his perch near the satellite dish. That one wasn't the only escape artist. Another kitty was found safe between fences.
The pets belonged to resident Angel Lozano. Lozano, his girlfriend and two other adults live at the home. Lozano was the only one home at the time.
"I ran to the window, there was flames. I tried putting it out. They yelled for me to get out," Lozano said.
The home is an older house with a ballroom frame construction, allowing the fire to spread quickly through wall cavities and into the attic space, firefighters said. Many belongings were stored in the home, which made firefighting efforts difficult.
The fire appeared to have started in the attic. Firefighters were deterred by so many obstructions in the house.
"Living conditions in the house were extremely high in debris and clothing, hoarder-like conditions," Willenberg said.
Fire investigators said the fire appeared to be accidental.
