By Ryan Poe
The Commercial Appeal
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — A quick-thinking U.S. postal worker and Shelby County firefighters with new pet oxygen masks saved six of 20 animals trapped in a burning Lakeland house Tuesday.
Firefighters were called to the two-story house in the 2900 block of Woodland Ash Drive by the passing postal worker at about 10 a.m.
The fire killed 14 cats and caused mild heat exhaustion for two firefighters, who were taken to an area hospital in noncritical condition, said Fire Department spokesman Brent Perkins.
The homeowners, who were known for collecting strays in the area and finding homes for them, were not at the house when the fire started, Perkins said.
Firefighters found the animals grouped in the entryway of the house dying of smoke inhalation, he said.
Using the pet oxygen masks, firefighters were able to resuscitate five cats and a dog, Perkins said.
One of the surviving cats bolted and was still missing late Tuesday.
“That (oxygen) hit him with a vigor and he went out of there 90 to nothing,” Perkins said.
All of the animals would likely have died if not for the postal worker, who saw smoke rising from the roof and immediately called 911, Perkins said.
“Another five minutes and there may not have been a roof on the house,” he added.
When firefighters arrived at the house — which is near the intersection of Canada Road and U.S. 64 — about four minutes later, smoke was pouring from all sides of the building.
The blaze was put out within about 15 minutes, Perkins said.
The fire seems to have originated in the kitchen, although the cause is still under investigation, he said. Arson is not suspected.
Neighbor Colie Chandler, who lives across the street from the charred house, said firefighters on the scene told him the stove was left on.
The home’s owners took the surviving animals to a veterinarian, Perkins said.
This incident was the first time Shelby County firefighters used the pet oxygen masks, which were donated to the department a year and a half ago by Memphis pet-waste removal service On Doody.
“I couldn’t believe how well they worked,” Perkins said.
Some people originally doubted whether the masks would be used at all, Perkins said, but the department has nine masks on as many engines.
Staff reporter Clay Bailey contributed to this story.
Copyright 2010 The Commercial Appeal, Inc.