House fire survivors search for missing cats

Marcus Heltne Damli and his partner Sophie returned to the ruins of their home in Krokstadelva on Saturday evening after seeing a photograph in Dagbladet that they believe may show their cat Luna.

The house, where they had lived since autumn 2024, was destroyed by fire the previous day. Firefighters said the blaze started in a nearby row of homes and spread rapidly, leaving little standing.

“The house is behind us now. The cats are our only focus,” Damli said. “We have two cats on the loose, so we just need to find them.”

He and Sophie, accompanied by a reporter and photographer from Dagbladet, searched the smouldering wreckage with a cage and wet food, calling out for Luna and their other cat, Felix. Damli said the animals rarely strayed far from home.

“It might be Luna, but it’s a 50-50 chance. We can only hope,” he said. Police allowed them to enter the restricted area and even provided assistance.

Neighbour Kenneth Ulsund also believes the photograph may show his missing cat Zelda, who usually hid in an outdoor shed or in parked cars. “She doesn’t like the rain, so she used to hide in the shed outside the house,” he said. “The car she liked is just a skeleton now. I hope she’s found somewhere else to take shelter.”

Damli said sounds of cats had been reported on the far side of the fire zone, but access was blocked. “We didn’t find them this time,” he said. “Maybe they’re over there. We’ll try again somewhere else—maybe they’re up in that little wood.”

All residents in the area have lost their homes. Damli said every house had at least one cat and that everyone was searching for their missing pets.