Firefighters used oxygen to revive hamsters rescued from burning home

Firefighters were forced to dig through their "Pet emergency pocket guide" on Friday afternoon when they rescued a family of hamsters from a burning mobile home in Lacey, Washington.



The crews made quick work of the fire, but their day of heroics was just beginning. While battling the fire, firefighters spotted a family of hamsters inside the burning building.





They grabbed the five rodents - later identified as Oreo, Madonna and three unnamed babies - and brought them outside to safety. Using the knowledge gleaned from their "Pet emergency pocket guide," firefighters treated the injured hamsters with oxygen and other first aid equipment. Tim Hulse with the Lacey Fire Department said the team was able to save all but one of the hamsters.



"Yes. Our crews are trained and specially equipped to care for animals that have been rescued from a house fire," Lacey Fire Department officials said following the rescue. Nobody was inside when the fire started and no firefighters were injured, Hulse said. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire started in the clothes dryer in the laundry room, according to the fire department.