Teen rescues pet cat, firefighters revive two others

Two pet cats that were trapped in a burning home east of Hazel Dell on Friday afternoon were in bad shape when firefighters carried them outside — one mostly unconscious and the other listless from the smoke and heat.

But members of the Vancouver Fire Department and Fire District 6 used pet resuscitation masks, giving the felines extra oxygen and helping them breathe.

“After about 15 minutes of that, both cats sparked up and they’re doing fine,” said Jim Flaherty, firefighter-spokesman with the Vancouver Fire Department.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Friday, firefighters with the two departments were called to a dryer fire at 4007 N.E. 94th St., just west of St. Johns Road.

The first crew arrived in eight minutes to find the home’s interior in flames that were spreading rapidly throughout the home and producing heavy smoke. A battalion chief quickly called for crews with more engines and a ladder-truck, Flaherty said. Twenty-four firefighters worked at the scene.

A 16-year-old boy had grabbed one family cat as he exited his home but had to leave two cats behind.

And in an attempt to give the remaining two cats a way to escape, the 16-year-old opened some windows and doors as he left.

“That really allowed the fire to get a substantial head start,” Flaherty said.

But the boy and a friend who’d been there were safely outside and no humans were reported injured. Firefighters worked for 20 minutes before the flames were under control.

Firefighters then found the two cats, carried them outside and resuscitated them.

In the end, the inside of the home was extensively damaged, but the outside appeared mostly intact. Damage was estimated at $350,000.

Dryer lint

A deputy fire marshal said dryer lint buildup caused the blaze.

Firefighters say dryer lint traps should be cleaned each time the machine is used, and it’s wise to keep the area around the appliance clean and free of combustibles as well.

The home’s owners are listed in county records as Charles and Elaine Atkinson.

When someone leaves a burning home, firefighters say, the most important thing is for people to get out. Only if it can be done safely, Flaherty said, folks should close doors as they leave. That deprives flames of oxygen and slows their progress.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.