Man says cat saved him from fire

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - A loyal friend alerted his owner to a dangerous situation, early Friday morning. They say a dog is a man's best friend, but a cat came through in a big way for a Grand Island man.

A Grand Island man says he might not be here today, if his cat Buddy didn’t jump into action.

“The cat is my savior,” said Carl Kryszak.

Kryszak’s cat Buddy knew something was wrong early Friday morning, but Carl had no idea. He was fast asleep when a fire broke out in his Grand Island apartment, but thaks to his furry friend, Carl walked away alive and well.

Kryszak said, “My cat woke me up and the place was filled with smoke. I opened the windows right away and I put the cat outside.”

Almost immediately after that, Kryszak says he started throwing buckets of water on his apartment’s burning walls.

Neighbor Bill Grunzweig said, “Our neighbor actually did most of the work getting the fire out before the fire department got here.”

Fortunately the fire didn’t spread to any other apartments.

Officials believe an electrical problem sparked the fire at the Country Glenn apartments, and they also think they’ve figured out why Carl didn’t wake up.

Grand Island Fire Chief Kevin Kock said, “There were smoke detectors in the apartment but they were not alarming on our arrival. The ones in the common hall areas were, but nothing in the apartment.”

All of the residents walked away uninjured and for now Kryszak and Buddy are staying with other family, while the apartment is repaired.

Kryszak said, “I’m very thankful the cat woke me up and nobody is hurt.”

They say cats have nine lives, and Friday morning, you could say Buddy gave one of his to owner.

Fire officials say Carl’s apartment has about $6,000 in damages. They are repairing the walls Friday afternoon and he should be able to move back in with Buddy, or should we say his best friend, once all the work is done.