A crew of firefighters in Oakland, California, administered oxygen to a pigeon that had suffered smoke inhalation from a vehicle fire earlier this week. The Oakland Firefighters Local 55 union reported that the bird approached the crew seeking help, as captured in footage posted online.
Pigeon Approaches Firefighters for Help
According to the union's social media post, the pigeon appeared to be in distress after the vehicle fire and came up to the firefighters. The crew placed an oxygen mask over the bird's face as it stood in the road, helping it clear its lungs. After treatment, the pigeon flew away.
Public Response and Social Media Buzz
The heartwarming rescue drew widespread praise online. One commenter said, 'I will gladly keep paying taxes if this is what it keeps getting used for.' As of Thursday afternoon, the video had more than 1 million likes on Instagram.
Similar Rescue Efforts
The incident echoes a recent rescue by firefighters in southern California, where they saved four cats from a fire-damaged apartment. Three of the cats were not breathing, but the crew and a sheriff's deputy used oxygen tanks and CPR to revive them. All four cats survived, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.
