Cat saved from Pretoria prison facility fire, 4 people treated
Firefighters not only rescued correctional facility staff from a fire, they also performed CPR on an unconscious cat.
A cat and four people were rescued from a fire that broke out in one of the living quarters at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Pretoria yesterday.
According to Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso, they were notified of the fire at 15:14.
He says when firefighters arrived at the scene, four units of a 150m-long structure – that houses about 10 units – were engulfed in flames.
The team immediately commenced with firefighting operations.
Four women were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and transported to Mediclinic Muelmed Hospital and Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in stable condition.
“While conducting search operations in one of the units filled with dense smoke, a firefighter discovered a lifeless cat. He immediately brought it out of the unit while performing CPR,” says Mabaso.
The cat regained consciousness, and paramedics administered oxygen therapy, he adds.
The fire destroyed two units, while another four had extensive smoke and roof damage.
“It is suspected that the fire started in one of the units and rapidly spread to other units because of the absence of firewalls between them.”
Mabaso says 26 tenants were affected by the fire.
“The management of the correctional facility indicated that alternative accommodation will be arranged for them.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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