Kitten rescued by firefighter becomes fire station pet
A stray kitten has become an internet star after it was rescued by a hunky firefighter â€" and then went on to become the fire station's therapy cat.
Flame, a ginger tabby, was malnourished and bedraggled when he wandered into Belmont Fire Department in Greenville, South Carolina in search of food.
Instead of sending the tiny animal back onto the streets, station engineer Jordan Lide, 26, took the little kitty in, fed it fried chicken, and nursed it back to health.
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Hot kitty! Two years ago, Belmont Fire Department station engineer Jordan Lide, 26, discovered an orange tabby on the department's grounds
All dressed up: The cat, which he named Flame, was scared and seemed underfed
Ready to save the day! Jordan and the other firefighters from Greenville, South Carolina took him in
Jordan rescued Flame when he crept into the five-acre yard surrounding the station around two years ago.
'We get some strays coming around, but most of the time they run off when they see us,' he said.Â
'We were decompressing in the evening when we heard a meow and I looked out into the grass and Flame was there,' he went on. 'He was really young and skinny and looked like he had barely eaten. He was timid and scared so I spent some time trying to gain his trust.'
Jordan did finally manage to earn the trust of the kitten, who was just weeks old at the time, and from then on he was 'super friendly' â€" but still in need of some help.
'He looked as though he hadn't eaten so we raide d the kitchen and found some fried chicken. He instantly ate every little piece,' said Jordan. 'The next morning we came out and he was still there. He was there every day after that.'
All grown up: They nursed him back to health and adopted him as a pet
Chillin': Flame now has a popular Instagram account where the firefighters post pictures of him dressed in his own uniform
Therapy cat: The cat hangs around the station and comforts the firefighters when they are stressed
On the lookout! He has become somewhat of a local celebrity, and fans stop by to say hello
Two years later, Flame, is a key member of the team, helping them unwind after mammoth 24-hour shifts.
'Flame is the most relaxed cat ever. He gravitates towards the guys,' said Jordan. 'When we go out he is right there in the bay, waiting. He helps everyone de-stress.'
Cute photos show the mischievous moggy sleeping in, on, and beneath the fire engines. Sometimes he is dressed in uniform, and he is often seen playing with the firefighters.
He even waits for them in the bay when they're called out to emergencies and offers them cuddles on their return.
'We get back and sit down to catch our breath and he comes and before you know it you are petting him and holding him and playing with him,' s aid Jordan.
One of the guys: He's been described as a 'relaxed' cat who helps the firefighters chill after long shifts
'We get back and sit down to catch our breath and he comes and before you know it you are petting him and holding him and playing with him,' said Jordan
Team effort: There are nine full-time fighters and 50 volunteers at the station, who all care for the cat
Taken care of: They paid for his vaccinations and vet care, bought him a collar, and even got him his very own bed and scratching post
Pet love: Jordan said Flame has become part of the family
'We are working long, stressful shifts and it is nice to take your mind off things,' he went on. 'All the guys here really take part in taking care of him. It gets your mind off the stresses of the job.'
The nine full-time firefighters and 50 plus volunteers all chip in to care for the station mascot â€" even the department chief.
The team saved up to pay for his vaccinations and vet care, bought him a collar, and even got him his very own bed and scratching post, which sit in a corner of the staff room.
'He is very much part of the family,' Jordan said.
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