A devastating blaze tore through a 16-unit apartment building over the weekend in the Kenosha region of Wisconsin, leaving twenty-one individuals displaced from their homes. Amidst the charred remains and heartache, a glimmer of hope emerged as a 12-year-old cat was miraculously rescued from the ruins of a destroyed apartment, offering a ray of positivity to an otherwise dire situation.
Witnesses described the scene as smoke billowed and flames roared, consuming the entire structure. Neighbor Gabby Kelley captured the harrowing sight in a video, showcasing the ferocity of the fire’s destruction. The Kenosha Fire Department determined that the inferno was sparked by the improper disposal of a cigarette, ultimately leading to the building’s complete devastation.
Mike Hervat, the building foreman, struggled to convey the magnitude of the tragedy, acknowledging the unimaginable difficulties faced by those affected. The building’s floors and ceilings had crumbled, and in the midst of this chaos, a sense of relief prevailed: all occupants had managed to escape unharmed.
“The most important thing is that everyone made it out safe, so that’s the silver lining—no injuries or casualties,” Hervat expressed.
Approximately 48 hours after the fire had raged, another glint of positivity emerged. Amidst the wreckage, Hervat discovered Mia, a 12-year-old cat belonging to one of the residents. Remarkably, the feline had weathered the destruction, still perched where she had sought refuge.
“The floors had collapsed, the ceilings had collapsed, but the cat remained exactly where her owners likely left her,” Hervat recounted. “Walking in and finding her right there… it was truly a miracle.”
Indeed, Mia’s survival was a beacon of hope amid the devastation, offering solace to her relieved owner. “It provides a small sense of relief that not everything was lost,” Hervat shared.
The Red Cross has stepped in to provide assistance to the 21 individuals who have been upended by the fire’s aftermath, extending a helping hand during a difficult time.
