Firefighters in Hong Kong saved beloved pets from a deadly apartment fire, reuniting them with owners after a 40-hour blaze that killed 151 people.
HONG KONG: A firefighter’s call reunited Jacky Lee with her 15-year-old poodle, Jason, after a deadly blaze engulfed her housing estate.
The 43-year-old airline engineer had feared she would never see her pet again after a district councillor told her the search for animals had ended.
“I was so happy I was out of my mind, I felt like I was in shock,” Lee told AFP after being reunited.
Firefighters coaxed the grey poodle into a carrier after spotting his name on notes she had stuck to her apartment walls.
Lee later wrote on social media that the firefighters had “also rescued my soul”.
The fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex burned for more than 40 hours, becoming Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades.
At least 151 people were killed when seven high-rise towers were burned to charred husks.
During the fire, social media was flooded with posts from worried pet lovers in the city.
The SPCA in Hong Kong said 209 animals were taken from the buildings, though 63 had died.
The rescued animals included dogs, cats, fish, hamsters and turtles.
District councillor Lau Chun-hoi said animals have a very strong will to live.
He urged people to check on residents who may have lost pets, as “in their hearts, pets are family too”.
Lee has called on the government to provide pet-friendly temporary housing for displaced residents.
Aside from mild dehydration, a vet said Jason was back to his fluffy, perky self.
