Teddy, the little ragdoll cat who was caught up in last week’s fatal gas explosion in Morriston, is gaining national stardom after surviving the blast after spending several days missing, assumed dead.
The adorable little seal coloured cat was sitting on the sofa with his owner, Claire Griffiths Bennett, when the explosion occurred at around 11.20am, last Monday, March 13.
Claire and her young son, Ethan, were pulled out of the wreckage of their house by council worker Keither Morris who risked his own life to save the couple and their young puppy who was in a crate in the living room.
Later in the day Claire’s female ragdoll, Fern, was found alive and well and taken to Llys Nini RSPCA for emergency boarding. But despite frantic efforts to trace little Teddy, he was nowhere to be found.
The force of the blast resulted in Claire being rushed to hospital where she remained for the remainder of the week being treated for trauma injuries. But throughout her treatment, she kept sending out posts on social media, urging people to keep their eyes open for sightings of her beloved little Teddy.
“There was real concern that Teddy may not have survived the blast,” commented a spokesperson from Llys Nini RSPCA.
“But on Tuesday night he was spotted by police officers as well as staff from the Swansea Cats Protection and Sally, from Llys NIni.
“Since then, both charities worked tirelessly to try and catch Teddy to re-unite him but due to the restrictions of access because of the dangerous conditions of the surrounding houses, this has proved very difficult.”
Claire was eventually released from hospital on Sunday and went straight to the remains of her house to see if Teddy would respond to her customary whistle
“And as soon as she arrived, she was told that Teddy had been found”, continued the Llys Nini spokesperson.
Teddy had been trapped underneath some debris and was rescued by a team comprising RSPCA officers and Swansea Cats Protection as well as British Gas engineers, council workers and South Wales Police officers.
“Teddy was very dusty and a little cross, but apart from that, he appeared totally unharmed. And needless to say, there were tears all round,” added the Lys Nini RSCPA.
“Teddy’s story has been followed by thousands of people over the last few days, so it’s so wonderful that we’ve now had such a happy outcome.”
Teddy is now being checked by his vet after which he will return to his family, safe and well.
Meanwhile Llys Nini RSPCA is providing a safe haven to many other displaced pets following last week’s explosion.
Two properties were extensively damaged during the explosion while other neighbouring properties suffered milder damage.
An investigation is currently underway to establish the cause of the incident. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
