{"id":400469,"date":"2026-07-16T07:25:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T07:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/400469\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T07:25:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T07:25:15","slug":"oakland-firefighters-give-oxygen-to-pigeon-after-car-fire-and-the-internet-cant-get-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/400469\/","title":{"rendered":"Oakland firefighters give oxygen to pigeon after car fire and the internet can\u2019t get enough"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not all heroes wear capes, some carry tiny oxygen masks<\/a> for pigeons.<\/p>\n

An Oakland Fire Department<\/a> crew is winning over the internet after taking a brief detour from fighting a vehicle fire to rescue one very grateful feathered bystander.<\/p>\n

After responding to a vehicle fire, firefighters noticed a pigeon in distress from inhaling the smoke. Instagram\/oaklandfirefighters<\/p>\n

The heartwarming moment happened after Engine 29 responded to a burning vehicle in East Oakland. Once the flames were under control, firefighters noticed an unexpected visitor waddling toward them.<\/p>\n

According to the Oakland firefighters\u2019 Instagram<\/a>, the pigeon appeared to be in distress after likely inhaling smoke from the fire. And in what might be one of the most wholesome emergency responses of the year, firefighters gently held an oxygen mask<\/a> over the bird\u2019s beak to help it recover.<\/p>\n

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It worked.<\/p>\n

After a few moments of fresh oxygen, the pigeon<\/a> regained its strength, flapped its wings and flew off, presumably with a newfound appreciation for first responders.<\/p>\n

The firefighters\u2019 union shared a short video of the rescue on social media Tuesday, and the internet wasted no time falling in love with the unlikely patient. The clip has already soared past 7 million views, with thousands of commenters applauding the compassionate rescue.<\/p>\n

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The firefighter put an oxygen mask up to the bird\u2019s beak to help it breathe. Instagram\/oaklandfirefighters<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother reason why we should care for pigeons. They were domesticated by humans so they will seek help from humans. Be kind to all living things,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n

Another commenter joked that the rescue was money well spent, writing, \u201cIf this is what the $400 from my paycheck goes to then by all means. In fact, take a little more I\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Instagram clip has already soared past 7 million views, with viewers loving the sweet moment. Instagram\/oaklandfirefighters<\/p>\n

Others pointed out that this isn\u2019t the first time Oakland firefighters have come to the aid of a pigeon, with one person calling the department \u201cthe best.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, because it\u2019s the internet, there was also room for one final joke.<\/p>\n

\u201cSources say the insurance company is finding a way to bill the bird as we speak,\u201d another commenter quipped.<\/p>\n

The tiny rescue may have only lasted a few moments, but judging by the millions of views and endless praise online, this little bird\u2019s happy ending has certainly taken flight.<\/p>\n

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