Firefighters battle blaze, save family pet
[gtxvideo vid=”kdxGAoMF” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/kdxGAoMF.jpg” vtitle=”Gibson Apartment Fire PKG”]
GIBSON, Tenn. — Flames tore through a duplex in Gibson County Tuesday evening, leaving two families homeless. But everyone made it out alive — thanks to an extra step firefighters took. It took firefighters more than an hour to get the fast-moving fire under control, but even after all seven people inside made it out safely, first responders went back into the flames to save a family pet. “The fire was coming out of the doors and windows on one side of the apartment,” Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey said. “It had already got in the attic and was running in there.” Fire officials said it took just minutes for the blaze to destroy half of the building, but luckily everyone made it out alive. “The people across the street came and knocked on my door and got me out,” Vivian Butler said. “I didn’t know the house was even on fire.” For Butler, her neighbors rescued her so quickly she could not round up one of her most prized possessions. But thanks to quick thinking by first responders, her furry friend was right behind her. “We went in and found her cat for her,” Cathey said. “It was suffering from smoke inhalation. We carried it to the ambulance. They put oxygen on it and got it breathing better.” And as Butler is reunited with a friend she never thought she would see again, she is calling everyone involved a hero. “I’m just thankful for my neighbors next door for getting me out,” Butler said. “And I’m thankful that I’m all right and my cat’s all right.” Although the fire left most of both families’ possessions in ruins, firefighters said being able to save one thing that meant so much makes their job worth it. “We are so sorry it happened to them,” Cathey said. “But we were glad we were able to save something to make her feel a little better.” The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firefighters said it may have started near a gas heater. Fire officials credit working smoke alarms for getting everyone out safely.
