Ali Mese, from Ordu Province in Turkey, burnt his house down after trying to light his wood stove with gas. Neighbours rushed to alert the family to the blaze, and firefighters managed to save the cat, but their wooden home was completely destroyed.
Ali and his family managed to escape, but only one of their many cats survived the blaze, and everything the family owned was extinguished.
In the touching photo, the pensioner took comfort in his one remaining cat as he surveyed the wreckage, cradling it close to him. Called Sarikiz, translated as “Blonde Girl” in English, the cat put his paw on his owner’s arm as he held back tears.
As he wept over the ruins of his home, the cat looked onCredit: TRT Diyanet
Called Blonde Girl, the cat was the only animal who survived the blazeCredit: TRT Diyanet
Ali is now recovering from his burns – with Blonde Girl by his sideCredit: Getty – Contributor