The firefighters of Greenville, South Carolina’s Belmont Fire Department had no intention of adopting a cat. In fact, the majority of them did not consider themselves to be cat people. But all changed two years ago when engineer Jordan Lide observed a little, skinny cat outside the station.
“One evening, we were out in the bays decompressing after a shift, and as we started to come in, I spotted a tiny cat in the grass,” Lide told us. “So I started carefully approaching him, and he didn’t flee.” He was very starved and as thin as a rail.”
The cat melted when Lide stretched out a hand to pet it. “And it was all over as soon as I pet him,” Lide explained. “He was simply climbing all over me,” says the narrator.
Lide walked inside the fire department building, located some leftover chicken, and carried it out to the cat after noticing how emaciated it was.
Lide recalled, “He simply ate it like it was the finest thing ever.”
The cat refused to go after that. Every day, he began to visit the fire station. Lide and several of the other firefighters continued to feed him.
“We started robbing folks’ cupboards and feeding him, and that helped us earn his trust,” Lide explained.
One major concern for Lide was what the fire chief would say. He wasn’t likely to like a stray cat loitering about the station. “At first, we were hesitant to tell him,” Lide said.
But when Lide returned at work a few days later, she saw the chief crouching and caressing Flame.
“We thought to ourselves, ‘Oh, this is a positive indication,’” Lide explained. “‘Where did this cat come from?’ said [the chief].” “Uh, he kind of lives here now,” we said.
Fortunately, the fire chief fell in love with Flame just as soon as Lide and the others, and he’s now a permanent member of the department.
Lide said, “He lives in the bays where all the vehicles are.” “We’ve tried previously to bring him in, but he prefers to stay out in the bays.” We close and lock the bays at night, and when we come in the next morning, he’ll be waiting for us just outside the entrance.”
“At this place, he is universally adored,” Lide remarked. “A lot of the males will even say things like, ‘I’m not a cat guy, but Flame is different.’”
At first, the firemen took turns purchasing food for Flame, but the fire chief eventually figured out a method to include Flame’s expenses in their budget. Flame was also given an official title by the squad.
“One of the youngsters inquired whether he was a service cat, like a police dog,” Lide said. “So we responded, ‘Yeah, he’s an arson investigator,’” says the narrator. “Flame the arson cat” became his nickname, and it stayed.”
Flame, like a true firefighter, appears to recognize the value of water.
“The first time we were going to give him a bath, we put firefighting gloves on,” Lide explained. “However, we immediately learned that he didn’t seem to mind. He’ll sit in the water as we pour cups of water over him and bathe him. If we don’t come get him, he just wades in the tub, as if he doesn’t want to get out.”
Flame may have provided the firemen a house, but Lide believes Flame has given them so much more.
“Throughout the day, he gives an excellent mental break,” Lide remarked. “We work 24-hour shifts, and we witness the worst of humanity at times.” He, on the other hand, prefers to hang out with the boys. So he basically migrates toward you and rubs up on you wherever you are in the bays.”
Lide, on the other hand, couldn’t picture living without Flame.
“I like how he’s always there for me,” Lide stated. “When you get back from your shift or that call, he’ll always be standing there, waiting for you to walk out the door.” He’s someone you can rely on in any situation.”
