“We Thought We’d Lost Everything—Then We Heard a Meow”: Family Reunites with Cat After Devastating House Explosion

On July 15, a quiet afternoon in Tucson, Arizona turned into a nightmare for one family of six. At 12:49 p.m., a powerful explosion rocked their home on East Paseo San Bernardo. Multiple witnesses reported the blast and flames, prompting an urgent response from the Tucson Fire Department (TFD).

When Engine 19 arrived just six minutes later, 75% of the house was already engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly shifted to defensive operations, battling the fire from the outside using aerial ladders to prevent it from spreading to nearby homes. It took nearly an hour to bring the blaze under control.

By the end, the family’s home was destroyed. Two neighboring homes were also damaged. Although no one in the household was physically harmed, the emotional toll was heavy—everything they’d built, every memory, gone in a matter of minutes.

And then there was Misty.

The family’s beloved cat had vanished during the chaos of the explosion. They called out for her. Searched through the wreckage. Clung to hope. But as hours turned into the next day, that hope dimmed.

Until something incredible happened.

While sifting through the debris, the family heard a faint meow—soft, scared, but unmistakable. Following the sound, they found Misty alive, tucked beneath a bed frame that had miraculously survived the blast.

She had been hiding in the rubble for nearly a full day.

“We are so happy to hear Misty was found alive in the rubble of her home today,” the Tucson Fire Department shared on Facebook. “A day after it was destroyed in an explosion. Guess it’s true what they say about cats!”

The discovery brought tears, relief, and a sliver of healing to a family who had just lost so much. Misty’s survival, against all odds, became a symbol of resilience and hope.

In the wake of the tragedy, the community has begun to rally around the family. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to provide them with temporary housing, essentials, and help as they begin to rebuild their lives from the ground up.

“They’ve lost all of their belongings, clothes, personal keepsakes, and their home that they’ve worked so hard for,” the fundraiser reads. “This has been an incredibly traumatic and overwhelming time for them. Insurance will take time and will not cover many of the costs or the irreplaceable items lost in the fire.”

For now, the family is staying with relatives—piecing together next steps, day by day. But in the midst of unimaginable loss, Misty’s return brought something no insurance policy could replace: comfort. A reminder that not all was lost. That love, even when buried under ash and splintered beams, finds its way home.

They may be starting over—but they’re not doing it alone. Not without Misty. Not without each other.