Child Alerts Adults To Fire

A young child is being credited with alerting an adult to a fire that also saw two Trenton Fire Explorers take action to save the life of a cat caught in the blaze.
According to Trenton Firefighter Robert Romes-burg, the fire took place Sunday afternoon in a mobile camper at 2741 Lakeside Pl. The owner of the camper, Alan Palmer, said he was outside when he was informed by his neighbor, Raymond Poortinga, that smoke was coming from the camper. He called 911, but accidentally hung up while he was trying to rescue his cat from the camper. He called back and informed them of the fire, which is believed to have been caused by a mechanical problem in the operation of a refrigerator compressor.
It was later learned that Poortinga had been alerted to the fire by his five-year-old son, Wesley Bray-White, who saw smoke and fire coming from the camper and told him. Romesburg said Trenton Fire Chief Rick Morris has recognized the quick efforts and knowledge of fire safety that Wesley has and will be awarding him with a certificate for his actions.
During the structure fire, a cat was removed from the residence by Lt. Eric Lorenz, who had located the cat while fighting the fire. The two-year-old female cat, Mischief, was handed over to Fire Explorer Capt. Truman Elbert and Fire Explorer Lt. Wayde King, who had been on the scene assisting firefighters. The cat was having trouble breathing and was barely responsive when rescued from the home. The Fire Explorers placed the cat on oxygen using the Pet First Aid and CPR kit and then checked the cat’s pulse, respirations and lung sounds. The cat began to improve while on oxygen and was continually monitored by the Fire Explorers and Romesburg, a pet first aid and CPR instructor for the  American Red Cross. The cat was transported to the Animal Kingdom Veterinary Clinic and is expected to recover. Romesburg said this is the first time the Pet First Aid and CPR kit has been used by the TFD since implemented in November 2013, using donated funds. Two TFD firefighters and three Fire Explorers are trained in its use at this time.