7 Things to Know About the Yucaipa Fire Where Firefighters Revived One Cat
Firefighters found 10 unresponsive cats in a Yucaipa mobile home fire, revived one with rescue breathing, and took it to a vet.
A mobile home fire in Yucaipa became an urgent animal rescue when firefighters came across 10 cats inside. One was brought back with rescue breathing and taken to a veterinary hospital, while officials said nine others did not survive.
1. One cat was resuscitated at the scene
The most surprising detail from the fire was that one cat was successfully revived after crews found 10 cats inside the home and determined that all of them were unresponsive. Firefighters started lifesaving measures immediately, and officials said those efforts included rescue breathing.
After the cat was resuscitated, it was transported to a veterinary hospital for additional treatment. Authorities did not immediately release an update on the surviving cat's condition.
2. Nine other cats died despite those efforts
The rescue did not end the same way for the rest of the animals. Officials said nine cats died even after firefighters tried to save them.
That made the scene both a fire response and a devastating animal emergency. All 10 cats were found inside the residence while crews were working the blaze.
3. The call came in Wednesday morning in Yucaipa
According to CAL FIRE's San Bernardino Unit, firefighters were sent to the 13000 block of Second Street at about 6:35 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The incident took place in Yucaipa, where authorities described it as a residential fire involving a mobile home.
4. Multiple fire agencies responded
Several departments were involved in the response. CAL FIRE and the Yucaipa Fire Department were among the agencies dispatched to the fire.
Crews from the Calimesa Fire Department also responded. Officials referred to the blaze as the Vista Incident.
5. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the home
When crews reached the scene, they found smoke coming from a single-family mobile home. The cats were discovered inside as firefighters battled the fire.
By the time the animals were located, every one of the 10 cats was unresponsive. That prompted firefighters to shift immediately into lifesaving care while the fire response was still underway.
6. No residents or firefighters were reported injured
Amid the loss of the cats, officials said there were no reported injuries to residents or firefighters.
Authorities did not report any human injuries connected to the blaze, making the animals the only reported victims in the information released Wednesday.
7. Two big questions were still unanswered
Officials did not immediately say what caused the fire. They also did not provide details on how badly the home was damaged.
In a statement, CAL FIRE said the loss of the animals was heartbreaking, but added that the incident also showed the care and dedication firefighters bring to rescues involving pets as well as people. For cat lovers, that leaves the story with two truths at once: a painful toll, and one cat that was given another chance.
