Sumter first responders use tiny oxygen mask on pet cat after house fire

Mother, daughter, 3 pets escape blaze

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A fire damaged a house on Perry Boulevard Monday afternoon, causing Sumter first responders to use a tiny oxygen mask on a family's pet cat.

Neighbors saw smoke and flames coming from windows and a room in the middle of the home, which is a street away from Sumter High School. Carl Turner said the fire spread to other parts of the one-story house "so fast."

Turner, a neighbor, said a family of four lives in the home. The mother and one daughter were home at the time of the blaze and escaped. The father was at work when it started, and another daughter was not home.

First responders used an animal oxygen mask on a cat that suffered smoke inhalation. Another cat ran off into the woods, and a dog ran to Turner's house, he said.

Turner and other neighbors helped get the family's vehicle and boat away from the burning home, pulling them out of the driveway.

The American Red Cross responded to the scene.

More information will be available at TheItem.com as it becomes available.