OAKLAND — An Oakland Fire Department crew is going viral for coming to the aid of a feathered friend.
An Oakland firefighter provides oxygen to a pigeon following a vehicle fire on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (Oakland Firefighters Local 55)
The unusual incident happened Tuesday evening after Engine 29 finished putting out a vehicle fire. A pigeon appeared to have suffered some smoke inhalation and came up to the crew seeking help, Oakland Firefighters Local 55 said in an Instagram post.
“E29’s crew administered the pigeon some oxygen and the bird shortly flew away after clearing its lungs,” read the post, which had amassed 1.2 million views as of Thursday night.
The post also included video footage of a firefighter providing oxygen to the beset bird.
Comments on the post ranged from thankful to humorous.
“I will gladly keep paying taxes if this is what it keeps getting used for,” one person wrote.
Another joked, “Sources say the insurance company is finding a way to bill the bird as we speak.”
Check back for updates.