Firefighters in Hong Kong save beloved pets and 'rescue my soul'

When Jacky Lee learned about a massive fire at her Hong Kong housing estate, she rushed back to save Jason, her 15-year-old grey poodle, fearing she might never see him again. Arriving at Wang Fuk Court, Lee found the complex consumed by flames in what became the deadliest fire in the city in decades, claiming at least 151 lives as seven high-rise buildings were reduced to charred remains.

The 43-year-old airline engineer waited anxiously at a nearby school converted into a temporary shelter on Wednesday, hoping for news of rescue efforts. After midnight, with the fire still raging, a district councillor informed her that the search for pets had concluded. Just as hope seemed lost, Lee received a phone call from a firefighter asking if she had a dog in unit 2703 of Wang Kin House. The next day, Jason was found alive, held by a volunteer who had rescued him from the burning tower.

"He was still trembling when I spotted him from a distance. I called his name, he recognized me, stopped, and then smiled," Lee told AFP. "I was overwhelmed with happiness, almost in shock." The firefighter explained they had coaxed Jason into a carrier after noticing his name on small notes Lee had left around her home. On social media, Lee expressed that the firefighters had "also rescued my soul."

The fire raged for over 40 hours, sparking a flood of social media posts from concerned pet owners. In Hong Kong, pets are cherished, often seen in prams, with shops selling animal clothes across neighborhoods. Animal welfare organizations shared photos of rescued animals online to help reunite them with their owners. The SPCA reported rescuing 209 animalsincluding dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, and turtlesthough 63 had died.

District councillor Lau Chun-hoi remained hopeful that more pets had survived, noting reports of stray animals. "Animals have a very strong will to live," he told AFP, suggesting that food and water be left on some floors of the buildings. He encouraged residents to check on those who may have lost pets, emphasizing that "pets are family too."

Social media was filled with tributes, with one user writing, "Be good when you reach the rainbow bridge, play with the older brothers and sisters, grandpas and grandmas from the neighborhood." Lee also called for government-supported pet-friendly temporary housing, highlighting the challenges displaced residents faced. Jason, though initially timid and clingy, recovered quickly, with a vet confirming that aside from mild dehydration, he was back to his usual lively self.

Author: Sophia Brooks