Franklin the turtle is rescued from fire
Published: July 5, 2007
Five-year-old Franklin probably was moving as fast as he could to escape the flames when fire erupted in his Claryville, Ky., home Monday morning. But turtle genetics just don’t lend themselves to a quick escape.
Thank goodness, then, for firefighter Robby Duke.
Though the 10-year veteran of the Southern Campbell County was among many responding to the 7 a.m. blaze Monday on Milton Road, he was the only one who counted for Franklin.
As flames spread through the home’s bedroom and bathroom, the homeowner told authorities that somebody was still inside. Franklin, his grandson’s turtle, was trapped in a living room aquarium.
So, despite the flames, and that Franklin is a snapping turtle, Duke moved in for the reptilian rescue.
“He was a pretty big one - a snapping turtle about six or seven inches around,” Duke said. “He got a little feisty and he was a little warm by the time we got him out of there, but he was OK.”
Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the blaze. Damage was estimated at about $30,000 and confined mostly to two rooms, authorities said.
Franklin appears none the worse for the scare.
Duke, meanwhile, might be hoping he had a nice shell to hide inside now. The ribbing he’s taking around the firehouse for saving the slow-moving snapper has been relentless.
“I’ve never rescued a turtle before … and possibly I’m a little sorry now,” he joked.
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