📍 Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
📅 Date: July 14, 2024
In the early hours of July 14, 2024, a Siamese cat named Prince became a true hero in a Gaithersburg townhouse that had no working smoke alarms due to ongoing painting.
🔥 A Paw in the Face, a Life Saved
Around 4 a.m., Prince began pawing at three sleeping family members, pulling them from their beds as thick smoke began to fill the home—caused by a malfunctioning freezer motor in the basement kitchen :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
The family, overcome by smoke, retreated to a second-floor bedroom and called 911. A basement resident then placed a ladder at the bedroom window, allowing the trio to escape to safety :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
😿 A Tragic Sacrifice
Prince briefly escaped outside but jumped back into the burning home—likely searching for other family members. He was later found deceased on the second floor, **succumbing to smoke inhalation** :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service called him a **“Hero Cat”**, and the family gave him full credit for saving their lives :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
“If it weren’t for Prince waking me up, we would all be dead. He truly saved our lives, and I believe he is our angel.” :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
🔗 References & Further Reading
- FOX 5 DC – “Hero Cat alerts Maryland family to house fire, dies from smoke inhalation”
- WJLA (ABC7) – “Cat alerted sleeping Gaithersburg family to fire, rescuing all 4 occupants”
📌 Quick Facts
| Hero | Prince, Siamese cat |
| Date | July 14, 2024 |
| Incident | Basement freezer motor caused house fire |
| Action | Woke family by pawing at them early morning |
| Outcome | Family escaped; Prince died from smoke inhalation |
| Recognition | Called “Hero Cat” by MCFRS |
💞 In Memory of Prince
Prince’s bravery—rushing back into danger to ensure no one was left behind—serves as a touching reminder of the powerful bond between humans and their pets. His sacrifice saved lives and touches our hearts.
🔎 Search Link
Find more details by Googling: “Prince Siamese cat Gaithersburg fire”