Turtles, Cats, Dogs and a Lizard Among Residents Rescued After Ohio Apartment Explosion

The cause of the fire is under investigation

A lucky group of beloved pets escaped a dangerous apartment fire thanks to Ohio firefighters.

In the afternoon of Monday, June 23, a two-alarm explosion and fire sparked in an apartment complex on Garden Valley Avenue in Cleveland, the Cleveland Fire Department shared in a post on Facebook. Cats, dogs, turtles and a lizard were found inside the burning building, and firefighters saved them all.

“Update from Garden Valley: 4 turtles, 2 cats, a small dog, and a lizard all rescued alive this morning,” an update post read.

Cleveland Fire shared photos of a dog and a cat, looking exasperated but otherwise unharmed, plopped in a car’s backseat, as well as scenes of both reuniting with their owners. The lizard and turtles also appeared to be healthy following the ordeal.

One cat was rescued and transported to West Park Animal Hospital. An additional two larger dogs also escaped the building, alongside their owners.

Though the fire department reported no firefighter casualties, a MetroHealth hospital spokesperson told Fox8 that five people were taken to the hospital.

One woman trapped at a third-floor window had to drop her baby down to people on the ground while rescue teams reached her, the fire department said. Another tied bedsheets together and climbed down from their window to escape.

The scene was filled with thick gray smoke, and a significant portion of the building had been damaged in the fire. In one photo, deep orange flames can be seen jutting up from the roof. The fire was so large that 22 companies and more than 60 firefighters in total responded to the scene, the fire department said on Monday.

The cause of the fire itself is currently under investigation. The building on Garden Valley Avenue had 44 units, and the resulting financial loss is an estimated $3.5 million, the fire department said.

“The city is actively supporting the situation and is in coordination with local partners to ensure that those impacted receive the necessary support and resources during this challenging time,” the Cleveland mayor’s office said in a statement, per Fox8. “The American Red Cross also established the Zelma George Recreation Center as a temporary shelter for residents displaced by the fire. The city will continue to coordinate efforts with local organizations to assist those impacted by this tragedy as needed.“