A cat in Gaithersburg, Maryland, alerted its sleeping family to a house fire early on Sunday morning, enabling them to escape unharmed. Authorities reported that the feline, named Prince, woke the occupants by pawing at them as flames spread through the townhouse. Officials have credited the animal with saving multiple lives during the emergency.
The fire occurred at about 4 am on 14 July 2024 in a three‑story townhouse on Westside Drive in Montgomery County. According to fire department spokesman Pete Piringer, the blaze originated in the kitchen, where investigators believe a freezer motor malfunctioned. Smoke quickly filled the house, leaving occupants trapped on the upper floor as conditions worsened.
Three residents, consisting of a man and two women, were asleep when Prince woke them. They discovered heavy smoke blocking the stairs and retreated to a second‑floor master bedroom to call emergency services. A basement resident, alerted by their call, retrieved a painter’s ladder from outside to assist the family’s escape through the bedroom window.
The family successfully climbed down the ladder and reached safety before firefighters arrived. While outside, they attempted to secure Prince, who initially made it out of the house. However, witnesses said the cat suddenly leapt from its owner’s arms and ran back inside. Firefighters later discovered the animal deceased from smoke inhalation on the second floor.
Officials confirmed that the smoke alarms were not functioning at the time of the fire. Investigators learned the alarms had been disabled during recent painting work, leaving the occupants reliant on Prince’s warning. Authorities emphasized the incident underscores the importance of operational smoke detectors even during renovations or temporary maintenance.
The blaze caused significant damage to the first‑floor kitchen and displaced the residents. No human injuries were reported, but the family described their loss of Prince as devastating. Fire officials publicly referred to the cat as “Hero Cat” and credited his quick actions for preventing a potential tragedy. The incident drew widespread attention on social media.