Two missing cats found alive in smoke-filled building in Switzerland

Firefighters rescued two cats from an apartment building after a basement fire in Oberuzwil, eastern Switzerland, on Sunday morning.

Both cats had initially been missing. Crews found them alive as they brought the fire under control.

The alarm came shortly after 06:00 on Sunday. Smoke was coming from the basement of the building on Bahnhofstrasse. Several residents were already outside when emergency teams arrived.

Finding cats during a fire can be difficult because they may hide when frightened. Switzerland’s fire prevention advisory center, BFB, addresses this problem in its guidance for households with animals.

– Advertisement –

It advises residents to tell firefighters when a cat remains inside. Information about likely hiding places can help crews search.

The center also encourages people to tell neighbours about their pets. That gives emergency teams another source of information if the animals’ carers are away.

Smoke is a serious danger to animals as well as people. BFB recommends smoke alarms and says anyone helping animals must avoid putting themselves in danger.