BILLINGS, MT — Firefighters swiftly responded to a fire at the Shiloh Glen Apartments on Monday morning, ensuring the safety of both residents and pets. At around 11 a.m., crews from the Billings Fire Department arrived at the complex located at 3900 Olympic Boulevard, where heavy black smoke was billowing from one of the units.
Anna Dye, a concerned passerby, witnessed the smoke and immediately stopped to check on the situation. “I just saw a bunch of black smoke and so I pulled in to see if everybody was OK,” Dye said. When she arrived, the area was eerily quiet, with no cars or people in sight, except for one woman standing outside the apartment. Dye quickly called 9-1-1, alerting authorities to the potential danger.
As fire crews rushed to the scene, they were able to evacuate the building and suppress the flames. However, a critical part of the response came when firefighters discovered a cat trapped inside the apartment.
Jordan Greenwood, a firefighter and engineer with the Billings Fire Department, described the condition of the feline. “When firefighter Miller brought the cat out, the cat was not doing well,” Greenwood said. “The cat was obviously in distress.”
The animal was exhibiting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, a potentially fatal condition. To address the situation, Greenwood used a specialized oxygen mask designed for pets, provided by the organization Wag’n O2 Fur Life. The mask, which fits over the muzzle of a dog or the head of a cat, delivers pure oxygen to the animal.
“It was very lethargic, panting, and had labored breathing—very similar to the symptoms seen in a human patient suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning,” Greenwood explained. “The number one way of helping with carbon monoxide poisoning is 100 percent oxygen, and that’s what we provided to the cat.”
Anna Dye, although not witnessing the immediate efforts to save the cat, was impressed by the firefighters’ quick action. “They were super-fast about it,” Dye said. “I was surprised they got in and out. The flames were out in no time after they showed up. They did an amazing job.”
Greenwood, who has had extensive experience in emergency response, emphasized the importance of providing rapid care in such situations. “It’s a service that we provide, and so I was happy to do it,” he said. “It makes you feel good to be able to help in a moment like this.”
Thanks to the quick response of the fire department and the use of the pet oxygen mask, both the human residents and the cat made it out of the fire safely. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for all aspects of emergency response—whether it’s saving lives or caring for beloved pets in distress.
