Pet Oxygen Mask Helps Save Cats Rescued from Fire in Rochester Hills

An oxygen mask for animals, donated to the by a local pet store two years ago, had its first use this week when firefighters helped save two cats from a burning home.

According to Rochester Hills Fire Chief Ron Crowell, a family and their four-legged friends are safe after the fire on Lawnview Court, south of Avon Road near Livernois Road, on Wednesday.

When firefighters and the arrived on the scene, Crowell said, smoke was coming from the rear windows of the townhouse and the homeowners were outside with their dogs. 

A sheriff's deputy saved one cat from inside the home; firefighters saved another cat. Then, Rochester Hills Paramedic Lisa Murphee administered oxygen to the cats using the special pet oxygen mask.

The fire department received the mask two years ago; it was donated by and members of the community.

"Both cats were taken by the owner to the vet and are going to survive," Crowell said.

The fire was extinguished quickly and did not spread to nearby townhouses. The also responded to the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown but is "not suspicious," Crowell said.