83-Year-Old Man’s House Burns Down But His Prized Possession Is Saved

When an 83-year-old man in Turkey lost his house in a terrible fire, he was homeless and without possessions. However, he did not lose his most important possession- his tiny, blonde-furred cat.

According to a news report, when the fire happened,  Ali Meşe, had been trying to light a gas stove inside his house. A small explosion occurred in his living room, causing a fire to sweep through his single-story wooden home.

man hugs cat after house fire

The remains of Meşe’s home in western Turkey

Neighbors called the fire brigade, and rescue workers saved Meşe, as well as his wife, son, and cat. Sadly it was too late to save their house that had collapsed into itself, leaving a mess of wooden planks and metal roofing.

man hugs cat after house fire

Meşe and his cat near the remains of their home

In an emotional photo, Meşe is pictured hugging his frightened cat while firefighters survey the damage. Meşe leaned on his cane while using his other hand to hold his cat against his chest.

man hugs cat after house fire

Meşe hugging his cat in front of their ruined home

Meşe was injured in the fire and had to go to the hospital. His story spread across Turkey while he recovered. The Turkish Red Crescent, a division of the International Red Cross, presented Meşe with gifts in the hospital. The gifts weren’t exactly for Meşe, they were for his cat.

man hugs cat after house fire

Meşe being wheeled out of the hospital with his cat on his lap

Red Crescent officials can be seen presenting Meşe with a new cat bed and a cat carrier. “Let’s keep him and his cat warm,” Kerem Kinik, president of the Red Crescent, wrote on Twitter.

man hugs cat after house fire

Meşe and his cat reunited after Meşe’s hospital stay.

Before long Meşe was reunited with his beloved cat. Someone brought the little cat directly to the hospital. In another sweet photo, Meşe is shown to be hugging his cat with a smile on his face.

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