A woman in Port Orange, Florida, credits her cat with saving her life after a fire broke out in her mobile home. Karen Maceachron, a resident of Riverside mobile home park located off South Ridgewood Avenue, recounted how the incident unfolded.
Maceachron disclosed that the fire originated from a candle she had lit in the bathroom. “I forgot it was lit, and I fell asleep watching TV,” she admitted.
While she was asleep, her cat Chewy inadvertently knocked over the candle, igniting the flames. Maceachron, still unaware, described how Chewy sprang into action by knocking cans off a shelf near her bed to awaken her.
Awakening to the growing smoke, Maceachron swiftly evacuated the premises with her pets, Chewy and her dog, Stella. “I just ran out the door. When the door opened, the whole thing went ‘Woosh!’” she recounted.
Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to contain the fire, although Maceachron’s mobile home was completely destroyed. Nearby residences suffered minor damage, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Sherree Deshong, Maceachron’s neighbor, expressed relief upon hearing of her safety. “My heart sank for her because I’ve known her for years,” Deshong said. “I’m extremely thankful at this point — very thankful that she’s still here.”
Authorities from Port Orange Fire & Rescue emphasized Maceachron’s fortunate escape, highlighting that fatalities in such incidents are often due to carbon monoxide inhalation.
An investigator from the scene informed FOX 35 News that without Chewy’s intervention, Maceachron might not have survived. “He’s my hero,” Maceachron expressed gratefully.
The fire was determined to be accidental, concluding the investigation into the incident.
