A touching act of compassion by firefighters in the United States has won praise around the world after a video showing a firefighter giving oxygen to a pigeon rescued from a fire went viral on social media.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening after the E29 crew from Oakland Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in East Oakland.
According to Oakland Firefighters Local 55, the crew noticed a pigeon in distress after extinguishing the blaze.
"The crew reported that the pigeon came up to them seeking help," the fire department said in a social media post.
Firefighters believed the bird had suffered smoke inhalation from the vehicle fire and decided to administer oxygen to help it recover.
After receiving treatment, the pigeon regained its strength and flew away.
"The bird soon flew away after clearing out its lungs," the department said.
The heartwarming rescue quickly attracted widespread attention online, with thousands of social media users praising the firefighters' kindness and compassion toward the injured bird.
Many commenters noted that pigeons have lived alongside humans for centuries and are known for their intelligence and familiarity with people.
"We domesticated pigeons—they come to us for help because we trained them to. Sweet little birds," one user wrote.
Another commented, "The trust that pigeon has for him... It knows the man is a lifesaver. They watch us closely and know us well."
Others highlighted the long-standing relationship between humans and pigeons, describing them as highly intelligent animals capable of recognising and trusting people who come to their aid.
The video continues to be widely shared online, with many hailing the firefighter's actions as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting impact.