12 cats injured in Ann Arbor house fire
An afternoon fire on North Division Street in Ann Arbor injured 12 cats and caused $40,000 damage, fire officials said.
Battalion Chief Robert Vogel said alert neighbors walking by at 1:30 p.m. heard smoke detectors and saw a puff of smoke come from a window of the home at 303 N. Division St.
"They really saved that house. It was lucky," Vogel said.
The resident wasn't home at the time, reports said. Firefighters entered and found a fire in a back room of the single-family home, Vogel said.
They quickly extinguished it, but other portions of the home had water and smoke damage, Vogel said.
Firefighters found 12 cats living in the home. One cat was seriously injured and was taken to a vet emergency room, reports said. The other 11 cats had minor injuries, and the Humane Society of Huron Valley was called to evaluate them, Vogel said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Firefighters were on the scene for about an hour, Vogel said.
Comments
stevek
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 7:13 p.m.
Did the cats own any couches?
Snarf Oscar Boondoggle
Mon, Dec 27, 2010 : 4:47 p.m.
@andyjacobs: fancatstick adaptation, tnx.
Boo Radley
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
"Only an insane person would live with twelve cats." "How do you remember their names, or do you assign them numbers?" What ridiculous comments. Even though I am apparently insane, I have no trouble remembering all of the names or the individual personalities of our cats. "If you would know a man, observe how he treats a cat" - Robert Heinlein
Bluespruce
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.
I have 5 adorable cats! Cute song by Andy! This could happen to anyone, while gone on vacation- just so glad the helpless little pets were ok!
David K
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
I can't believe cats are allowed to smoke, particularly when so many live under one roof! They haven't heard of second hand smoke? I used to live catty corner from that house (no pun intended) and never saw anyone coming or going, but ownership transferred earlier this year.
Dog Guy
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.
The resident had seventeen cats until the canoe went down in the fall--un, deux, trois, quatre cinq.
RoboLogic
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
Cats are cute and cuddly, but 12? How do you remember their names, or do you assign them numbers?
dogpaddle
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 10:30 a.m.
Well, Robyn - according to Alfonso, you must be 1/3 insane since you have 4 animals. :) Just kidding. I love animals, especially dogs, have had up to 4 at once, and while yes, it was as chapmaja says, an adventure and a challenge and I would not do things differently, I can't imagine having 12. But only an insane person would decide the definition of insanity for others. Think about that the next time you go vote. :)
digger
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 5:53 a.m.
glad no one was hurt----got rid of the cat smell anyway
robyn
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 12:10 a.m.
How sad for the people who live in that house. Can't imagine coming home to find it so damaged and to have their pets injured too. I have two cats as well as two dogs - can't imagine what a sad Christmas it would be if something happened to not only my home - but them too.
ShadowManager
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 12:07 a.m.
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. Albert Schweitzer quotes I'm glad they are all right. If they are well-cared for and happy and healthy, there's nothing wrong with having as many cats you can support.
D21
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 10:26 p.m.
Only an insane person would have no cats.
alfonso
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 9:37 p.m.
Only an insane person would live with twelve cats.
Soothslayer
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 8:34 p.m.
On the 12th day of Catmas, my true love gave to me Twelve cats a crying, Eleven emergecy responders, Ten sirens blaring, Nine lives a leaping, Eight neighbors watching, Seven windows broken, Six hundred gallons of water, Five 911 Calls, Four -ty thousand dollars damage, Three emergency vehicles, Two reporters typing, And a story on Christmas Eve
chapmaja
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.
As someone who lived in a house with 7 cats at one time, I can't imagine 12 cats. When we had 7 cats tehy were all from various stages of rescue. The oldest three were directly rescued after being dumped on our property. My cat was a rescue I got when I was in college. The oldest cat passed away then my mother rescued a femalecat in Northville. We didn't know she was carrying for kittens, 3 of whom we kept. My cat, plus the two remaining first generation cats have sense passed away, but we are left with 3 of the kittens and the momma cat (the 4th kitten was given away). Even with 4 cats in the house it is a challenge every day. I can't imagine what 12 cats in a house would be like. I suspect that house is smaller than our house so 12 cats in a small house would be an adventure. Hopefully all 12 are ok.
UtrespassM
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 8:07 p.m.
So many cats!