Raleigh firefighters rescue 14 kittens from Method Road house fire

Fourteen young kittens were rescued Saturday night from an abandoned burning home.

On Saturday, more than 40 firefighters responded to a home on fire on Method Road in Raleigh.

When they arrived, Raleigh firefighters found the kittens inside of the home and worked quickly to get them out and keep them warm.  

According to firefighters on scene, they believe the mother of the kittens ran out of the home once the house caught fire.

It does not appear that any kittens died in the home. Fire crews told WRAL News that it felt great to rescue the kittens.

"We recognize that pets are family members,” said Raleigh Fire Captain Ralph Ripper. “I have two dogs and they’re family members, and so we take care of them as best we can.”

The Raleigh Fire Department said they are working closely with animal control to take care of the kittens and find homes for them once they confirm no one owns them. 

Though the home was abandoned, one man who said he was briefly inside the home was treated for smoke inhalation. He is expected to be okay. 

WRAL News is working to learn what caused the fire.