米の動物保護施設に山火事が接近、警官らが60匹を緊急避難させる【動画】
先週、アメリカのカリフォルニア州にある動物保護施設に山火事の炎が迫り、動物たちを緊急避難させる事態となった。
山火事の炎が数十メートルに迫る
その山火事は先週の後半、Vacavilleという街で発生。土曜日には炎が、市の南西にある丘を登り、Solano郡にある動物虐待防止協会「S.P.C.A.」の施設(シェルター)に迫ったという。
そのため警察官のCarly StoneさんとKirsten Jenningsさんは、その日の午後にシェルターに急行。車を外に停めて建物の中に入り、犬の首にリースを付け、子猫をキャリーバッグに入れ、ヘビやネズミ類など多くの動物たちも集めたそうだ。
その時、炎はすでに建物の敷地から数十メートルにまで迫り、上空では煙が渦を巻いていたとか。
やがて他の警察官も加わり、施設の職員やボランティアと力を合わせて、動物たちを外の車へと搬送。10分後には60匹の動物たちを保護し、安全な場所へ運んだという。
この時の緊迫した様子は警察官のStoneさんのボディカムで撮影されており、その後映像はフェイスブックでシェアされた。
PD fights the clock as the Nelson Fire races towards the Solano SPCA
As the Nelson Fire raced towards the south end of town, it looked like the Solano SPCA would be the first to be hit by the flames. Our officers worked with Humane Animal Services, SPCA staff and volunteers to evacuate all they could in a race against the clock.**Additionally, here is information directly from SPCA Solano's official page:We wanted to give a quick update and thank everyone for their support. We understand that many people are under the impression that we left a volunteer and cats behind last night in the fire. We were forced to evacuate under extremely short notice. Vacaville Police Department was gracious enough to fit as many animals as they could in their vehicles to help us. Unfortunately we were under the impression that all animals were out and safe when we evacuated. We found out later that there had been a few cats still in the cat building. However, fire crews were stationed on our property, outside that building, ready to protect it. The volunteer that was in there went in illegally and crossed the fire line without anyone knowing after we had been out for quite a while. We would never leave a person behind. If we knew he was in there, we would have called to inform first responders to get him out! Once it was deemed safe, shortly after we found out a volunteer was there, two of our staff members were able to be escorted in by the police department to get the remainder of the animals out. All animals are safe in foster homes at this time. Unfortunately we do not have power or water at this time but all 60 of our animals are safe in foster homes for the time being. We are hoping to get in there tomorrow to clean up the ash and debris inside our kennel building and around the property. We thank you all so much for your donations, love, support, and concerns. The Vacaville community has been so gracious to open their homes and hearts for us. If you have pictures from last night feel free to post them on our page.If you are still looking to donate, we will keep you posted as for when we will be able to accept them. Only two staff members were able to go in today and get an idea of where we are at. Fire crews were still working today putting out hot spots and we are grateful for their hard work. We are extremely lucky and thankful to the fire departments and police departments who were on site last night and on the front lines. Thank you!Media inquiries can be directed to Lt. Mark Donaldson @ (707) 975-2486.
Vacaville Police Departmentさんの投稿 2018年8月12日日曜日
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人々が動物たちに食べ物や水を運ぶ
この救出劇の後、動物たちは一時的に街の食料品店の隣にある駐車場へ運ばれたという。するとそこに人々が集まり、動物たちに食べ物や水、ベッドまで運んできてくれたそうだ。
またシェルターは火事で閉鎖されたため、その夜、動物たちを自宅で預かってくれる人も現れたとか。
Vacaville警察署の広報官であるMark Donaldsonさんも、取材で「私たちは地元のコミュニティから信じられないほど、溢れんばかりの支援を受けました」と語っている。
山火事の炎はその後、消火活動によりシェルターの敷地の50フィート(15m)手前で止まったが、施設の電源は失われ、建物も煙によってダメージを受けたそうだ。
それでもシェルターは日曜日には再開され、今回一時的に預けられた動物たちの中には、新しい飼い主に正式に引き取られたものもいたという。(了)
出典元:The New York Times:As Wildfire Roared, California Police Rushed to Save Animals in Shelter(8/14)
出典元:INSIDE EDITION:California Wildfires: 60 Animals Evacuated as Fire Heads Directly Toward SPCA(8/13)