Cat brought back from dead by firefighters during house blaze recovers in Lewisham

Gert the cat was found motionless and not breathing inside a house in Stratford when fire crews rescued and resuscitated her using oxygen masks.

The four-year-old puss was put in an oxygen tent for two days, and had to have tubes inserted in her stomach to feed her following her ordeal on September 28.

She can now walk and lick her food – although she is not yet strong enough to eat it – thanks to the tireless work of vets at charity Celia Hammond Animal Trust in Lewisham.

Her owner Michael Morrisson, 33, said: "It was horrible.

"I collapsed on the floor crying. I said ‘please, please save her’.

"They were all huddled around her and even took my oxygen mask off for her.

"She is making good recovery at Lewisham. She is doing well."

The singer praised staff at the clinic – which offers financial help for those who cannot afford private vets - who took her in after he struggled with mounting vets bills.

Veterinary surgeon at the branch in Lewisham Way, Kylie Simons, said: "We are grateful to the firemen and paramedics who resuscitated Gert at the scene.

"When she came in we had no idea whether she would regain any normal functions but she has come on in leaps and bounds and can now walk, use her litter tray, eat….and even unlock her kennel door overnight!

"Although she is still wobbly we hope that she will regain full normality in time."

The animal rescue charity relies on donations. To find out more and to give visit celiahammond.org