Firefighters pulled a woman’s pet cat from her burning home and tried saving it using specialized equipment Monday evening in Santee. The cat later died, the owner told 10News.
Flames were shooting from the home on Fanita Drive.
The woman who lives there was not home when the fire broke out, but her cat, Dinah, was trapped inside.
“During their search they discovered the cat somewhere inside the building,” El Cajon Firefighter Allen Hazelton said.
Firefighters handed Dinah off to Hazelton. He realized she was overcome by toxic smoke. She was limp, panting and her eyes were glazed over.
“I have fur babies too,” Hazelton said.
“We initially started with a pediatric, for little children, a little small mask, to help breathe, with the bag on it,” Hazelton said.
Santee fire crews brought out an oxygen mask for a small dog or cat.
Hazelton held Dinah and put the mask on her, hoping she would make it.
About 10 minutes into the treatment, she let out a meow.
“She’s mainly scared, we gave her a lot of oxygen. I don’t think she’s burned, but you may want to take her to the vet,” Hazelton said to Dinah’s owner as he put Dinah in her arms.
Dinah later died.
Another cat and a dog escaped the fire unharmed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
