PLANTATION, Fla. -- Plantation paramedics had to use their pet oxygen mask to help resuscitate a cat found alone in an apartment during an early morning fire, chief Robert Pudney announced today.

The fire, at 320 NW 87th Road, in the Jacaranda Club Apartments, was reported by the upstairs neighbor at approximately 3:45 Wednesday morning.

The caller advised there was heavy smoke coming from the apartment below her. Police and firefighters arrived and could not locate the occupant. While searching the apartment, firefighters found a cat.

The cat was barely breathing and lethargic when paramedics used the specialized pet mask to provide oxygen to the animal. After about five minutes of therapy the cat began to breath normally and became active again.

“This was our third successful use of the pet masks,” stated Pudney. “They are proving to be an invaluable tool.”

The occupant was not home at the time and attempts to reach her were unsuccessful. Fire damage was confined to the single unit. Residents in nearby apartments had to be evacuated for a short period of time but were allowed to return within an hour.

The fire is under investigation.