In a heartwarming display of bravery and community spirit, neighbours in Calgary rushed to the aid of Brenda Delauw’s cat, Henry, during a recent house fire in the Woodbine community.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday evening, with fire crews responding to a two-alarm fire in the 100 block of Woodfield Close S.W. While Delauw was away from home, her house began to feel the heat from the nearby blaze, which threatened to engulf her property.
Daryl Colpitts, a neighbouring resident who had already evacuated his own home, decided to take action upon realizing the imminent danger to Henry. Without hesitation, Colpitts and two others forcefully entered Delauw’s house, which was at risk of catching fire due to melting siding.
“We knew how quick the fires jumped in 2021 so we decided that we needed to act and act fast to get the cat out,” explained Colpitts. Despite the perilous conditions, they swiftly located Henry upstairs and managed to safely evacuate him from the premises. Colpitts sustained minor injuries, including scratch marks from Henry, during the heroic rescue.
Delauw expressed profound gratitude for her neighbours’ selfless actions, emphasizing their bravery and dedication to saving her beloved pet. “Just knowing how much they cared and the fact that they didn’t even think about their own safety. They just kicked that door in and found my cat,” she remarked gratefully.
While Henry was understandably shaken by the ordeal, Delauw reassured that he is recovering well after the rescue.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of community support and quick thinking during emergencies, showcasing the resilience and compassion of Calgary residents in times of crisis.
