In an update to Sunday’s article regarding Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responding to the 600 block of Westside Drive in Gaithersburg’s Brighton Village neighborhood for a house fire at approximately 4:20am Sunday morning, the family that survived the fire is crediting their cat, Prince (who did not survive), for saving their lives.
According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, multiple units responded to what was reported as a kitchen fire with entrapment. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fire in the kitchen, located on the first floor. Three people were trapped on the deck, uninjured, and all were rescued via ladders.
On Monday, Piringer shared that the “sleeping occupants are giving full credit to their cat named Prince for waking them up, alerting them to potentially deadly fire. With assistance from a basement resident everybody got out. Pet owners believe the cat returned to the house to look for another person.”
Prince was found by firefighters on the second floor likely overcome by smoke. Smoke alarms inside the home were removed/disabled (to be replaced) due to ongoing painting at the house. Photos courtesy of MCFRS
More…Westside Dr, NO SMOKE ALARMS….sleeping occupants awakened by cat (cat kept pawing to wake them up) once awake & noticed something burning, unable to get out (met w/ heavy smoke) retreated into master bedroom (2nd fl), called a basement resident & 911 to alert them to fire https://t.co/C11DR5Ff1N pic.twitter.com/GRJZXNPMj8
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 14, 2024