NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A U.S. Navy sailor saved a pet pig named Merlot on Thursday morning after the pig’s home caught fire in Norfolk.
The fire broke out at 1621 E. Ocean View just before 10 a.m., firefighters say, with heavy flames and smoke.
Sailor Jalen Carter was one of the first on scene and was able to save the pig.
“We pulled up and saw that there was a fire, saw that there was a car parked out front. So we couldn’t in good conscience drive off,” Carter said, “so we kicked open the front door, tried to do what we could.”
Carter said he went around to the rear of the home and found the pig, after the heat kept him from entering through the front door.
“Once we got the side door open, and the pig decided he wanted to run out the back door, we were good from there,” Carter said. “I don’t think anyone else was in there, so thank God, because it was too hot to get inside.”
Animal control showed up with a net, went into the backyard and carried Merlot the pig, who headed to Animal Control’s pig paddywagon, where he was put into a cage, looking like he was in jail, and you could tell he wasn’t too happy, with its squealing high-pitched.
“He has a couple of burns, but he is OK,” an animal control officer said.
The fire reportedly started upstairs, according to neighbors, and no one else was home at the time, per Battalion Chief Glen Williams.
Williams said two firefighters suffered non life-threatening heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene. Merlot was later taken away by Norfolk Animal Protection officers, who said the pig suffered minor burns. He was still in their custody as of Thursday night.
“There were no occupants inside at the time,” Williams said. “We got one firefighter in an ambulance. He was being treated for heat-related illness, but it is not life threatening.”
The owner of the home is currently living in Virginia Beach, but was in the process of moving back to this home in Norfolk, which is now heavily damaged.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Carter, reflecting on what happened, said he was glad to be able to help.
“I just saw the fire and couldn’t just roll by thinking someone may be inside,” Carter said. “It takes the right person to do the right thing.”
