Cats caught in Hong Kong flat fire revived with oxygen masks, 9 lives still intact
- Four cats believed to have suffered smoke inhalation after blaze breaks out in eight-floor flat in New Territories
- ‘The officers at the scene used those [masks] for human or children to try to revive the cats,’ Fire Services Department spokeswoman says
Firefighters used oxygen mask to revive cats saved from a fire at a flat in Hong Kong, which also prompted the evacuation of 50 people from the building.
At least four cats were reported to have inhaled smoke from the fire that broke out in the eighth-floor flat in Tak Cheong Building at No 1001 Kwai Chung Road in the New Territories at around 1.30pm on Sunday.
Pictures taken at the scene and circulating online showed at least two cats laid down on trays as firefighters used the oxygen masks to help them breathe.
“They were not pet oxygen masks,” a Fire Services Department spokeswoman said. “The officers at the scene used those for humans or children to try to revive the cats.”
Seven cats were rescued from the scene, she added.
According to police, a kitchen extractor hood caught fire and the blaze spread. The fire was put out around 2pm. The 50 people were safely evacuated and there were no reports of injuries to people.
The department is carrying out an investigation into the blaze.
Officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) were also called to help treat the animals.
An SPCA spokesman said on Sunday night that its inspectors received the consent of the owner and took all seven cats to the organisation’s Tsing Yi Centre for further treatment and examination.
“Three of the rescued cats were found unconscious,” it said. “The firefighters provided immediate medical aid including oxygen administration and chest compression.
“Two cats fell from a height. They remained conscious, but one of them had a fracture. The condition of the two remaining cats was relatively stable.”
