January 9—Seattle Firefighters rescued a cat and used a pet oxygen mask to save a cat from a burning home in West Seattle. The fire was reported at 10:33 a.m. at a home in the 3800 block of 46th Avenue Southwest in West Seattle.

The first arriving Engine Company found dark smoke pouring from a kitchen window of the one-and-a-half story home. Quickly, firefighters searched the house for any occupants but did not find anybody inside.

One firefighter found a cat that was having seizures from the smoke inhalation. Firefighters began treating the cat with oxygen. Medics used a specially designed pet oxygen mask to treat the cat. The animal was transported to a local animal hospital for medical attention.

The homeowner works for an animal rescue organization and has 14 cats at her home. One 16-year-old did not survive the heavy smoke inside the house. Animal Control was called to the scene to help with the animals.

Firefighters knocked down the fire within a couple of minutes. A Seattle Fire Investigator determined the fire was accidental. A hot plate that was left on ignited combustibles on the kitchen counter.

The damage estimate is 60 thousand dollars to the structure and 10 thousand dollars to the contents. An animal rescue group will take care of the remaining 12 cats while the homeowner stays with friends.