UK Press: Quick thinking fire crew saves lizards from blaze

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on October 26, 2000 at 06:28:56:

SHEFFIELD STAR (UK) 25 October 00 Quick thinking fire crew saves lizards from blaze (Paul Whitehouse)
This is a resuscitation technique you wouldn't find in any fire brigade first aid training manuals...
Sheffield crew men had to fall back on their own initiative when they rescued a family of five from a flat fire - a family of IGUANAS that is!
They used oxygen from their own breathing apparatus tanks to revive two of the young lizards who were struggling for breath
Gas was also given to two older iguanas, who were less badly affected by the fumes.
But despite the success of their technique - using a hose to pump oxygen straight into the animals' lungs - they were unable to save the worst affected of the youngsters.
All five had been kept in a purpose-built tank in the lounge of a flat on Middlewood Road, Middlewood, when fire broke out.
The flat was unoccupied and by the time the fire was discovered in the lounge, it had engulfed curtains, a carpet, television set and settee, leaving the whole building heavily smoke-logged.
Fire crews who searched the building found the creatures in the tank and carried them outside before attempting to revive them.
Rivelin fire station spokesman Steve Williamson said: "We put the open ended hose into their snouts. One looked like it was dead, but as soon as we got the oxygen going, it came around.
"If the lads had not shown their initiative, we would have lost the three young ones although the older ones were more hardy."
The tenant of the flat was out at work when the fire broke out and it is believed it may have been caused while decorating work was in progress.
The iguanas were left at a vets' surgery in the area for further care.

Quick thinking fire crew saves lizards from blaze

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: SHEFFIELD STAR (UK) 25 October 00 Quick thinking fire crew saves lizards from blaze (Paul Whitehouse) : This is a resuscitation technique you wouldn't find in any fire brigade first aid training manuals... : Sheffield crew men had to fall back on their own initiative when they rescued a family of five from a flat fire - a family of IGUANAS that is! : They used oxygen from their own breathing apparatus tanks to revive two of the young lizards who were struggling for breath : Gas was also given to two older iguanas, who were less badly affected by the fumes. : But despite the success of their technique - using a hose to pump oxygen straight into the animals' lungs - they were unable to save the worst affected of the youngsters. : All five had been kept in a purpose-built tank in the lounge of a flat on Middlewood Road, Middlewood, when fire broke out. : The flat was unoccupied and by the time the fire was discovered in the lounge, it had engulfed curtains, a carpet, television set and settee, leaving the whole building heavily smoke-logged. : Fire crews who searched the building found the creatures in the tank and carried them outside before attempting to revive them. : Rivelin fire station spokesman Steve Williamson said: "We put the open ended hose into their snouts. One looked like it was dead, but as soon as we got the oxygen going, it came around. : "If the lads had not shown their initiative, we would have lost the three young ones although the older ones were more hardy." : The tenant of the flat was out at work when the fire broke out and it is believed it may have been caused while decorating work was in progress. : The iguanas were left at a vets' surgery in the area for further care.

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