Hong Kong Firefighters Rescue Beloved Pets from Deadly Fire: "They Rescued My Soul"

China:

When Jacky Lee first heard about the devastating fire at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court housing estate, she immediately rushed back home, desperate to save her 15-year-old grey poodle, Jason, fearing the worst for her beloved pet.

Upon arrival, Lee found the complex consumed by what would later be recorded as Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades. The catastrophic fire claimed at least 151 lives as seven high-rise buildings were reduced to charred remains.

The 43-year-old airline engineer joined numerous anxious residents at a nearby school that had been converted into a temporary shelter on Wednesday, waiting desperately for any information about rescue operations.

As midnight approached and the flames intensified, a district councillor informed her that pet rescue efforts had concluded, seemingly extinguishing her last hopes.

Then, miraculously, her phone rang. A firefighter called asking if she owned a dog in unit 2703 of the Wang Kin House tower.

A day after the fire began, Jason appeared, carried in a volunteer's arms after being rescued from the still-burning buildings.

"He was still shaking when I saw him from afar, then I called his name, he saw me and stopped. Then he smiled," Lee recounted to AFP.

"I was so happy I was out of my mind, I felt like I was in shock."

Lee later learned that firefighters had found Jason by following the trail of name tags she had affixed to walls, which helped them coax the dog into a carrier.

She later expressed on social media that the firefighters had "also rescued my soul."

The devastating fire burned for over 40 hours, during which Hong Kong's social media platforms were flooded with posts from concerned pet owners.

In Hong Kong, pets hold special significance, with pampered dogs often seen being pushed in strollers through city streets and numerous shops selling pet apparel throughout many neighborhoods.

Animal welfare organizations caring for rescued animals shared images online in attempts to reunite pets with their owners.

The Hong Kong SPCA reported that 209 animals—including dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, turtles, and others—were rescued from the buildings, though tragically 63 did not survive.

District councillor Lau Chun-hoi remained hopeful that more animals had survived, mentioning reports of strays in the area.

"Animals have a very strong will to live," Lau told AFP, suggesting that food and water be placed on certain floors of the buildings for surviving animals.

He urged community members to check on Wang Fuk Court residents who may have lost pets, emphasizing that "in their hearts, pets are family too."

Memorial messages circulated across social media platforms.

"Be good when you get to the rainbow bridge, play with the older brothers and sisters, grandpas and grandmas from the neighbourhood," wrote one user.

Lee has called on government officials to provide pet-friendly temporary housing, noting the difficulties displaced residents face in making arrangements on short notice.

Though Jason had become timid and reluctant to leave Lee's side after the ordeal, veterinarians assured her that apart from mild dehydration, the poodle was recovering well and returning to his fluffy, energetic self.