Flame the Arson Cat: Belmont Fire Department's hottest celebrity has gained fans worldwide

Joanna Johnson, Greenville News
Updated ·4 min read

When Belmont Fire Department firefighters return to the station after responding to a stressful call, they can always rely on Flame to cheer them up.

Flame the Arson Cat strolls around the firehouse for attention and entertaining firefighters. Sometimes, he plays around the big firetrucks or shows firefighters affection by rubbing around their legs.

Flame is the department's full-time firefighter support animal.

He was found about 10 years ago by a firefighter. He was malnourished and needed medical attention. Flame went to the vet for his shots and to be neutered. He started coming to the fire department, and it is now his home.

"The main impact is that we have a famous animal here in Greenville," said Gina Thompson, a firefighter EMT and Flame's primary caretaker. "I see people still comment saying, 'Oh my gosh, I live a couple blocks away,' and people don't realize. Even the people who aren't cat people truly adore him."

Gina Thompson, 22, fire fighter and EMT at Belmont Fire Department, holds Flame at the fire station where he lives on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Flame has lived at the station for nearly a decade. Thompson, Flame's caretaker, will take him home after his retirement.
Gina Thompson, 22, fire fighter and EMT at Belmont Fire Department, holds Flame at the fire station where he lives on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Flame has lived at the station for nearly a decade. Thompson, Flame's caretaker, will take him home after his retirement.

Flame the Arson Cat: ASPCA, Jackson Galaxy, Animal Planet are fans

Thompson said Flame's rise to fame was in 2014 when Instagram celebrities were on the rise. She said some staff decided to make Flame an account for fun.

Out of nowhere, his page expanded with followers and likes. Flame has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram. That's when his fame brought him to the attention of the news media.

"A Facebook group first got ahold of him, and that's when it first took off," Thompson said. "Jackson Galaxy came to the station, and he won the 2017 (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) ASPCA's 'Animal of the Year' and was flown to New York. It's amazing he has fans internationally. We get messages saying, 'Good morning from France,' from Japan or Australia.' "

The ASPCA's "Animal of the Year" is an award honoring animals and people who have made significant strides in advancing animal welfare and positively impacting the lives of others.

Danielle Forney, senior manager of Media and Communications with ASPCA, said Flame and his story of being a firefighter companion stood out.

Flame walks through the fire engine bay at Belmont Fire Department where he lives on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Flame has lived at the station for nearly a decade.
Flame walks through the fire engine bay at Belmont Fire Department where he lives on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Flame has lived at the station for nearly a decade.

"We honored Flame for bringing companionship and comfort to the firefighters, even during the most stressful and tragic moments and for participating in educational events with local children," Forney said. "Flame has inspired the fire department to encourage adoption and spay/neuter of local animals.

Flame was also in the spotlight, starring in the film project "Cat Daddies." The film is a heartwarming documentary, sharing the story of a group of men who find compassion and companionship through cats during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flame also appeared on television's Animal Planet, where he was called a cat from Heaven by Jackson Galaxy, host of "My Cat from Hell."

Flame made headlines in 2018 when he used one of his nine lives and became stuck in a drain pipe. Thompson said they had to call their neighboring fire department to rescue him.

"It was a bad winter storm, and he was probably trying to find a quick place to stay warm," Thompson said. "It wasn't normal to not see him, and when they went outside, they heard screaming meows. We called our neighboring department, they got their equipment to rescue him and they finally got him out."

Dalmatians aren't the only firehouse pets

Flame was found a decade ago by staff at the fire department, where he appeared weak and malnourished. Firefighters offered him leftovers of what was in the fridge, and the rest was history.

"They were scared to tell the chief at first, but he (Flame) was so loving," Thompson said. "Everybody took to him, and he took to everybody."

Flame has provided endless support for the community and for the fire department. Thompson said Flame is always there for them, especially after a difficult call or a long day.

"He's truly a stress reliever for everyone here," Thompson said. "I feel like he brings happiness to people. We've come back from calls, and just having Flame rubbing against you or just curled up in your lap really does help."

Flame is almost ready for his retirement party

The Belmont Fire Department is open to the public and allows fans to come and meet Flame. The department requests those interested in visiting to arrive at reasonable hours.

On Oct. 14, the Belmont Fire Department will host an anniversary party for the District's 55th year. The event will also include a retirement party for Flame. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Belmont Fire Department, 701 Fork Shoals Road in Greenville.

Flame explores the Belmont Fire Department grounds where he lives on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Flame has lived at the station for nearly a decade.
Flame explores the Belmont Fire Department grounds where he lives on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Flame has lived at the station for nearly a decade.

Flame's retirement does not mean the 11-year-old is leaving. Thompson said that once Flame retires, she will adopt him and become his full-time caretaker.

"Even though we're officially open to the public every day of the year, we really look forward to events like these," Fire Chief Anthony Segars said. "It gives our staff a chance to showcase our equipment and make sure we get fire safety literature into the hands of our stakeholders. This open house will be extra special to us, as we retire our beloved Flame."

Reach Joanna Johnson via email at jjohnson@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Belmont Fire Department's cat Flame has appeared in a movie and on TV