A Crofton woman says her black cat named Hydro saved her when her rental unit caught fire Monday morning.
This Crofton woman is crediting her cat for saving her life, alerting her to an early morning fire that burned her home to the ground today @CHEK_News #rescuecat Everyone made it out. pic.twitter.com/LHjii5Deh0
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) February 24, 2020
The fire broke out at a Crofton, B.C. rental complex called the Twin Gables Motel at the corner of Joan Avenue and Queen Street. Firefighters from North Cowichan’s Crofton, Chemainus and South End fire departments all responded.
The aftermath of a fire at the Twin Gables Motel in Crofton on Feb. 24, 2020.
The building was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire but there was extensive damage to the unit.
Sharyl Skolos said Hydro, her cat, woke her up by hitting her with his paw and meowing in her ear. Skolos and Hydro both made it out of the rental.
“I was asleep and my cat woke me up and jumped around the bed,” Skolos said, adding Hydro also banged on the window.
Skolos was treated by BC Ambulance for minor burns, including a burn at the tip of her nose. She also sprained her ankle leaving her unit out a window. She was checked at the hospital but has since been released.
Hydro is now hiding behind the Twin Gables Motel. Skolos said she has seen the cat but he is scared right now. She plans to lure him out with Temptations cat treats.
Skolos said the smoke felt like she was inside a pizza oven. Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire
Martin Drakeley, North Cowichan’s manager of fire and bylaw services, said Skolos was extremely fortunate.
“I’ve heard a couple of different aspects to the story and with the amount of involvement in the suite, she is very lucky that she made it out,” Drakeley said.
Drakeley said the unit will have to be demolished.
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