Teen dies trying to save cats from fire

[deadparrot]

CAMBRIDGE, Ill. - A teenager is being hailed as a hero for saving his aunt from a fire at their house, but he lost his own life when he went back into the burning building to search for the family's two cats, authorities say.

Seth A. DeShane, 14, was pronounced dead late Thursday at the family home, which was destroyed in the fire.

"He really saved his aunt," said the Rev. Kris Dietzen, pastor at Cambridge Lutheran Church. "He woke his aunt up and told her the Christmas tree was on fire.

"He got her out of the house. She thought he (Seth) was behind her, but he went back inside."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070107/ap_on_re_us/dead_young_hero

[KittyWampus]

1. Rest In Peace, Seth. I'd do same for my kitties.

[BoneDaddy]

26. you got to be kidding me.

Yes, pets are important parts of our lives. They are however not worth risking your life over.

Poor kid what a waste.

[spoony]

35. Emotional attachments are

extremely potent motivators, and if an animal means that much to someone, that should be respected as a valid reason for them to feel it worthwhile to risk their lives.

People have died pursuing far less important goals than saving a friend.

[BoneDaddy]

38. I understand why

I still think it foolish.

[Raine]

29. So would I

I would go back and save my animals.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. What a shame. A true humanitarian. RIP, Sean. n/t

[bluewave]

3. This "hero" stuff is catching on. RIP to this caring person.

[MichiganVote]

4. Word to the wise: when there is a fire, leave doors open, if animals

can make it out, they will do so...even cats. Never go back for them as they are almost impossible to find, usually trying to squirrel away in a hidey hole.

[elehhhhna]

12. When my next door neoghbors house caught fire a few summers ago...

I got the key and opened the front door, hoping the 3 cats would come out.

The heat and acrid smoke knocked me down (the kids still laugh like heck and re-enact this regularly).

The cats didn't come out but Fort Bend County Firefighters went in and got all three (in a still-burning house, at 2 p.m., on a 100-plus degree day).

The paramed's even gave the kitties oxygen.

I'll never forget seeing a grown man, soaked and smudged, fully suited up, finally come out of there with the third (baby) kitty.





Poor boy. Sweet boy.

DU parents, tell your kids how to handle a housefire, please. Today.

[MichiganVote]

13. Like they say, "This is a job for the professionals"

[Kingshakabobo]

24. I don't think people realize how quick smoke can know you on your ass.

I know I didn't till I had a small kitchen fire. I now keep several fire-extinguishers in the house....AND I give them for housewarming gifts.

[Beaverhausen]

32. Thanks for that tip

A friend of mine had an apt fire and her cat wedged itself under her bed - while smoke poured into the room she couldn't get the cat out. She had to leave it there and the cat of course died.

My cats would be hard to find, but I would try as long as I could, but leaving the door open is a good tip. :hi:

[CurtEastPoint]

5. God is smiling on Seth, his aunt and the kitties... What a hero!

I would probably try the same thing but I agree with the 'leave the doors open and get out'

[sammythecat]

What a tragedy, what a loss.

Had he been less as a person, had he a smaller heart, he'd still be with us. I only know of him now, but I miss him. We need people like him. His family must be suffering greatly.

[malaise]

6. How sad

What a hero.

[hlthe2b]

7. Well then, if there's a true heaven, Seth is there with his kitties...

and all my own beloved pets that have gone ahead.

He died for the cause of love and compassion. May he be surrounded by what he sought...

[AngryAmish]

8. That is a shame, but not too smart

He was a teenager and they do foolish things.

[KittyWampus]

9. AngryAmish, please reconsider your post and maybe change it.

[pitohui]

14. i don't think he should change the post

we sure as hell should not be sitting here and cheering on a kid who threw away his life to run into a burning house after some kittens

we put too much peer pressure in this society on people doing ridiculous things, that cause harm to themselves and family, not just the families who are put over the edge by $3K vet bills which end in the family losing their apartment (a thread a year or so ago) but running into a burning building? it cost the child his life, and it could have cost the life of the rescuers who then had to go after the child

we aren't born w. perfect judgment, and any of us can make a wrong decision in the heat of an emergency, but don't sit there and cheer on a teen for going into a burning building after a cat

he was a hero when he saved his aunt, that's what we should be cheering, it's too bad that so often we put self image (i'm such a saint i would never leave a pet behind) ahead of concern for ourselves, rescue personnel, and the family we leave behind -- but angryamish makes the correct point that when the kid headed back into the building to save a cat, he made a very bad decision that we should never encourage others (especially young and impressionable others) to copy

[AngryAmish]

19. To be fair, my original post was pretty harsh

[bigluckyfeet]

25. Its Seems More People Here

Think more of their cats then the life of the young man.

[spoony]

36. Not at all what I see

I see people sad this lad is dead, but respecting his decision to try to save sentient creatures with which he had a loving bond. That doesn't mean anyone doesn't care about the human, just that we understand what he did.

[BoneDaddy]

42. exactly

my thoughts. Love of animals is a good thing. When an animal takes the place of a person, well, I think we crossed the line.

That said if GW Bush and my golden retriever were both drowing and I could only save one...

well it kind of blows my argument out of the water.

"Come here boy...I got ya"

[Occulus]

37. You just can't accept that he might have loved them just as much as he did his aunt, can you? n/t

ed.: sp.

[sammythecat]

10. self delete

[Beaverhausen]

17. I'm a grown woman and I would have done it - am I foolish?

My cats are family members and I would never leave them in a burning house if there was a chance I could get them out.

You are heartless.

[Sydnie]

22. I am with you, I would have done the same thing

My furry babies are part of my family and I could not stand by and see them die like that without at least trying to help them.

Animals that we "adopt" depend on us for everything. We must never forget that. We have accepted the responsibility for their well being and that extends far beyond just food and a dry place to sleep. I was always taught (and live my life like this to this day) that animals need to be tended to just as you would a baby. You feed them before you eat, you care for them before you care for yourself because they can't open a can of food, release themselves from being trapped behind a closed door, they can't turn on the tap and get a drink for themselves, etc. How many people have been saved because their pets have woken them when a fire has started in the house? How many children have been protected from strangers because the family pet alerted others that there were people that didn't belong around?

Nope, my pets are part of my family and I would not sacrifice them any more than I would one of my children. Period.

[BoneDaddy]

27. yes you are foolish

if you are willing to risk your life to save an animal, willing to deprive your children of their mother or father(assuming you have them) to save an animal, albeit a beloved one, you are foolish.

[Beaverhausen]

31. I have no children- except my cats

[BoneDaddy]

39. That is probably why you feel that

way, I still think risking one's life for an animal foolish, but that is me. I just answered the question...no harm intended.

Noble, self sacrificing but also foolish.

Don't get me wrong, I would take a risk if the chances were low that I or anyone I knew would be hurt, but if the danger was moderate to high, it would not be worth it.

[TahitiNut]

18. Well, I can understand doing that for a dog - but, a cat?

:hide:

(Unless, of course, they were CatWoman's cats.)

[Rex]

20. Ooooh it is 'on' now! You better hide behind that wall!

:evilgrin:

[TahitiNut]

23. Well, actually .. he'd never have to do that for a dog.

That's why there are "Leader Dogs" but no "Leader Cats." :evilgrin:


:hide:

[Rex]

28. Good point.

nt

[ShortnFiery]

41. Oh, those who love their cats would beg to differ.

I have a orange furry visitor almost everyday who demands that I scratch his tummy and give him treats. Yah, it's the neighbor's cat who has taken a shine to me. ;)

Canines can get disoriented in a fire also ... I don't think it has much to do with leadership, but maybe. :shrug:

BTW an aquaintence of mine lost her only son under similar circumstances. :cry:

[BoneDaddy]

43. LOL

my thoughts exactly

[judaspriestess]

11. RIP young man

I would have done the same for my pets. I know to leave doors open etc. but I couldn't imagine just running out and not trying to save my pets. They are my life, my babies.......

He is an angel now, he learned whatever lessons he needed to learn in this lifetime.

[applegrove]

15. What a shame.

[Rex]

16. Poor kid.

My heart goes out to his family, I would have done the same thing (gone back in for my animals).

RIP Seth.

[Eurobabe]

21. Poor boy, honorable cause to save the cats

RIP Seth.

[Fierce]

30. What a wonderful kid...for saving his AUNT.

nt

[G Hawes]

33. What a shame.

Very admirable that he saved his aunt. Such a crying shame that there was nobody to stop him from from going back for the cats.

May he rest in peace.

[Dorian Gray]

34. Poor poor Seth

and his family. He was brave. And he obviously loved his aunt and cats. This is so tragic.

[Marie26]

40. How tragic.

His poor family. Rest in peace, Seth. This world is a lesser place for you leaving it.