Search continues for 4 missing cats following 6-alarm condo fire in Foster City
"I just want her back in my arms."
FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- Four cats remain missing more than a week after a six-alarm fire on Sea Spray Lane, leaving pet owners searching daily for answers while they wait for access to the damaged building.
One of those owners, Margaret Pawlick, was not home when the fire broke out on August 2.
She later saw video showing her cat, Felicia, on the balcony of her apartment as flames engulfed the building.
"I was absolutely terrified and just assuming the worst," Pawlick said.
Despite those fears, Pawlick later learned Felicia had survived.
MORE: Man arrested after allegedly leaving propane barbecue unattended, sparking Foster City fire: police
The cat has since been spotted around the building, most recently on August 8, but has repeatedly run away when firefighters approached.
"I was, I was elated, I was so happy. And just this huge, weight lifted off of me, really happy. And then came back down when she ran away," Pawlick said.
MORE: Residents displaced, firefighters injured after massive fire at Foster City condo complex
For Susan Sullivan, the search has been even more uncertain.
Her two missing cats, a mother and daughter, have not been seen since the day of the fire.
She too wasn't at home when the fire started and was not allowed into her unit.
"I started on the Monday asking, who do I talk to? Who do I bribe, who do I beat up in order to let me jump over my balcony? I'll turn into She-Hulk and go get them myself," Sullivan said.
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Both women have spent days on the outskirts of the property, calling for their cats, setting traps and leaving out food in hopes the animals will return.
"I have some glimmer of hope, which gets a little weirder, shakier every day that they could potentially be, hanging out in there or hiding," Sullivan said.
Residents have not been allowed back inside the red-tagged building because it is considered unstable.
Firefighters and other first responders are also prohibited from entering because of concerns that the structure could collapse.
The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department said it is doing everything it can to help locate the missing animals.
Officials said traps are checked daily and that a civil engineer is scheduled to assess the structure.
RELATED: Foster City condo complex damaged by 6-alarm fire could collapse; had no fire sprinklers: officials
Even with those efforts, both owners said they struggle with the fact that they were unable to bring their pets to safety.
"We knew that they could perish. And we knew that we had the tremendous feeling of leaving them behind," Sullivan said.
"I just want her back in my arms," Pawlick said.
The owners said they plan to continue searching until they get answers about the fate of their cats.
A fellow resident was taken into custody earlier this month after an investigation determined that he had allegedly left the barbecue unattended on his first-floor patio. He is expected to appear in court on Sept. 3.
