A tabby cat named Toast Malone was discovered alive nearly three days after a fire ravaged an apartment complex in North Salt Lake, Utah, displacing hundreds of residents. The cat's owner, Ryder Mathis, was alerted to the fire on July 31 by smoke alarms in his North Union Apartments unit.
Mathis attempted to retrieve Toast before evacuating, but the cat hid behind a washing machine. He was then prompted to leave by a text message indicating the fire was on the fourth floor, where he resided. When residents were later allowed back into the building, Mathis found his apartment largely destroyed, though his closet remained intact. Unified Fire Authority (UFA) firefighters located Toast alive inside the closet.
The UFA stated that Toast survived days of smoke and extensive water deployment. Although initially scared, wet, and cold, the cat was found to be in good health. Mathis expressed gratitude to animal services, specifically Sergeant Cantor of Salt Lake County Animal Services, for advocating for a search of the units.
Officer Deacon from Salt Lake County Animal Services explained that their team works in conjunction with fire and police during emergencies. They initially gathered information from residents about missing pets while awaiting clearance to enter the affected areas. Once safe, they began evacuating animals. The discovery of Toast alive in a fourth-floor apartment, after crews had not expected to find any living pets, was described as astonishing by Sergeant Cantor, who has 25 years of experience in veterinary emergency medicine.
Reports indicate that 220 out of 223 occupied units at North Union Apartments were safely evacuated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though officials have ruled out arson and are looking into a mechanical issue as the potential source. The American Red Cross provided assistance to displaced residents at a temporary shelter, offering meals to approximately 200 individuals.