Cat hailed a hero for saving building from fire

One of an Oklahoma City cat's nine lives was surely used up when, his owner said, his feline friend saved their building from going up in flames. Mr. Murphy, a therapeutic cat, helps with therapy exercises at East Main Place transitional facility, a transitional house for the homeless.



Last week, burglars trashed the place and put Mr. Murphy in the oven, along with combustibles, in hopes of setting the building on fire, according to investigators. “They went into our kitchen and they turned the oven on, and they poured a bottle of charcoal starter fluid in the oven. Then we found out later from the sheriff that they put the cat in the oven,” said Ginny Corson, with East Main Place.

Police arrested two men on charges of burglary, arson and cruelty to an animal. Cleveland County deputies arrested Brandon Reed and Michael Ketcham. Police said the suspects confessed to a burglary at East Main Place.



Somehow, police said, Mr. Murphy opened the oven and escaped, which broke the seal of the oven and stopped the building from turning into rubble. Police found Mr. Murphy with his paws burnt, but Mr. Murphy is expected to make a full recovery.

There's a news video here.