An 83-year-old man from Bolu Province, Turkey, captured hearts across the world after a photo of him cradling his kitten following a house fire went viral.
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| Credits: NTV Radio | Facebook |
In January 2018, Ali Meşe accidentally caused a fire in his wooden home in the village of Ordular after attempting to light his stove using gasoline.
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It is a dangerous but not uncommon method in rural areas during cold weather. The stove exploded, and flames rapidly engulfed the house.
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| Credits: NTV Radio | Facebook |
Watching the house turn into flames, neighbours immediately called the firefighters who managed to save Meşe, his wife, son, and cat.
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A photographer shortly captured Meşe in an emotional moment holding his scared orange cat against the chest, right next to his burnt remains of the house.
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| Credits: NTV Radio | Facebook |
Meşe had to go to the local hospital, for his minor burns. Meanwhile, his emotional photo with the cat touches the hearts of many across Turkey.
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He soon gets visited by the Turkish Red Crescent during his stay, providing not only essentials for him but also a pet bed and carrier for his cat, followed by their tweet wishing him well.
“ Ali Dede (83) burned down his house while trying to light the stove in his happy home in the Mudurnu district of Bolu. He was saved with his beloved cat, thank God. As our branch, we first visited him at the hospital and said #youarenotalone and wished him a speedy recovery. ”
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| Turkish Red Crescent Bolu | Twitter |
In response to this event, Kerem Kinik, the president of Turkish Red Crescent Bolu hoped that Meşe won’t be sad and his cat won’t be cold.
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Grandfather Ali (83) set his house on fire while trying to light the stove in his happy home in the Mudurnu district of Bolu. He was saved with his beloved cat, thank God. We will take the others who were burned, God willing, our grandfather will not be sad, our cat will not be cold :)
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| Kerem Kinik | Twitter |
Meşe was soon reunited with his cat, smiling and at peace knowing that his little one is doing well.
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| Credits: NTV Radio | Facebook |
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| Credits: NTV Radio | Facebook |
Moved by Meşe’s situation, several organisations came together to help.
A joint campaign was launched to build him a new home.
The effort was supported by the Mudurnu Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation, the Bolu Governorship, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, and the Turkish Red Crescent.
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By 2019, the new house was ready.
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Meşe now lives between his village and the city of Bolu, where he stays with his son during the cold winter months.
“I visit my new home often to check on my cats,” Meşe told reporters.
His son, Ahmet Meşe, said to the reporters:
“He is happy right now. My brother cares for him when he’s in the village, and I take care of him when he’s here in Bolu. He spends time with both of his cats and my brother when he’s at the village.”
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| Credits: IHA | Twitter |
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Meşe’s story, and the now-famous photo of him holding his cat Sarıkız continues to remind people of the deep bond between humans and animals, and how kindness can rise even from disaster.
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