Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Spider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The Firefighters
130

Spider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The Firefighters

Spider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The FirefightersFirefighters Rescue 30-Year-Old Tarantula ‘Twinkie’ From Fire, And Netizens Are Very Happy About ItFirefighters Rush Into Burning Building To Save 3 Dogs, 2 Cats, And 30-Year-Old Tarantula ‘Twinkie’People Online Are Joyous Over This 30-Year-Old Spider ‘Twinkie’ Who Was Saved From A House FireFirefighters In Soap Lake Defeat A Huge House Fire To Rescue A 30-Year-Old Tarantula ‘Twinkie’Spider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The FirefightersSpider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The FirefightersSpider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The FirefightersSpider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The FirefightersSpider Living Her 3rd Decade Ends Up In A House Fire, Gets Heroically Saved By The Firefighters
ADVERTISEMENT

Finding yourself in a burning building is a frightening idea, no matter how big you are or how many legs you walk on. Just the same, everybody who ends up in such a situation deserves help, and it’s always a joy to see nobody get left behind.

Around a couple of weeks ago, firefighters in Soap Lake, Washington, got a call about a house on fire with many requiring rescue. Once on the scene, being professionals as they are, they rescued every occupant they could, including a 30-year-old tarantula. Scroll down to learn more about it!

More info: TikTok

Being trapped by fire is equally scary and dangerous to every live creature, and nobody should be left behind

Image credits: source_one_news (Instagram)

Firefighters were called in to deal with a huge house fire that broke out in Soap Lake, Washington

On Saturday, October 12th, around 6 p.m., a fire broke out near Elder and 2nd Avenue in Soap Lake, Washington, severely damaging a single family’s home and putting everyone inside in grave danger. Upon receiving a call, multiple fire crews responded, arriving as soon as possible.

When the firefighters arrived on the scene, they were greeted with smoke visible from all 4 corners of the building. Without wasting a single moment, the heroes got to work and knocked down the primary fire, allowing them to enter the building and search for occupants.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Jonathan Cooper / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Sami Aksu / Pexels (not the actual photo)

They dealt with the fire, and while there were no humans, they managed to rescue 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a 30-year-old tarantula named Twinkie

There were no humans inside, but the house was far from empty. The firefighters didn’t manage to save 1 dog, but fortunately, they rescued the other 3, as well as 2 cats and a senior spider, who is actually the reason for this story going viral.

The arachnid, adorably named Twinkie, turned out to be a 30-year-old tarantula, which very likely gave her seniority status over at least a few of this house’s other occupants. In fact, there’s a decent chance that she was also older than the firefighter who rescued her.

This kind of news brought quite a lot of joy to people online, especially those who love spiders. Everybody was really happy that the fire crew executing the rescue operation didn’t discriminate and took care of everyone, even if some of the rescuees might’ve appeared a little scarier than others.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Rejean Bisson / Pexels (not the actual image)

If being around arachnids is up your alley, tarantulas can make for some really nice pets. According to this article on Tom’s Big Spiders, these animals are actually very fascinating, which makes observing such a creature doing things like feeding truly captivating.

Additionally, they live a long time, often reaching 20-30 years, and sometimes more. And while they don’t require a lot of space, setting up terrariums can become quite a hobby, making your life more interesting.

And if you’re worried about having to put in a lot of work, they’re very low maintenance and inexpensive, which makes caring for them easy in almost every way. They’re also quiet and don’t require a lot of socialization, so they don’t necessarily require the company of their kin.

Image credits: Mike_68 / Pixabay (not the actual photo)

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Nareeta Martin / Unspalsh (not the actual photo)

Of course, there’s always the other side, too. As per PETA, tarantulas are almost always terrified of humans, and so you likely won’t become friends with them. Moreover, since their eyes are pretty bad, there’s a good chance that they won’t even recognize you, at least by sight.

Their longevity can also be a plus or a minus, depending on the owner and the situation. The fact that they have urticating hair and are venomous natural escape artists who will likely use every chance to get away and hide in the smallest corners can complicate things for some people even more.

Image credits: Nora Melbourne / Pexels (not the actual image)

ADVERTISEMENT

However, in the end, it’s up to you to decide. Something that seems scary to one person might very well sound super fun to another. Just think of this Tarantula named Twinkie. The name alone makes her appear cute.

ADVERTISEMENT

What did you think about this story? Have you ever owned a spider? Share it all in the comments below!

The commenters were surprised at how old the spider was, but they were all very happy to learn about this news and that the tarantula was treated so humanely

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ic_polls

Poll Question

Thanks! Check out the results:

Share on Facebook
Dominykas Zukas

Dominykas Zukas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Hey! I’m Dominykas, and I come from Lithuania. According to my diploma, I’m a UX Designer. However, when during my studies, I (re)discovered my passion for storytelling, I’ve been doing that ever since, mostly in writing. I have written a few short stories, some songs, and a good bunch of articles, and I plan to keep expanding on all these fronts. Aside from that, I’m also a film buff, traveler, casual basketball player, video game enthusiast, and nature lover who will rarely pass up on a little hike through the forest or a simple walk around a park.

Read less »
Dominykas Zukas

Dominykas Zukas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Hey! I’m Dominykas, and I come from Lithuania. According to my diploma, I’m a UX Designer. However, when during my studies, I (re)discovered my passion for storytelling, I’ve been doing that ever since, mostly in writing. I have written a few short stories, some songs, and a good bunch of articles, and I plan to keep expanding on all these fronts. Aside from that, I’m also a film buff, traveler, casual basketball player, video game enthusiast, and nature lover who will rarely pass up on a little hike through the forest or a simple walk around a park.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
Donald
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Additionally, they live a long time, often reaching 20-30 years, and sometimes more." Only female tarantulas live that long, for anyone interested in keeping one.

Sergio Bicerra
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They remembered Spiderman saved one of them and paid their debt. They remembered.

StarCrossedFriday
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 toasty dogs, 2 warmed-up cats and a tarantula from a house fire - the disaster rescue version of the 12 days of Christmas. And no, I have no idea why my mind chose to go there.

Load More Comments
Donald
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Additionally, they live a long time, often reaching 20-30 years, and sometimes more." Only female tarantulas live that long, for anyone interested in keeping one.

Sergio Bicerra
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They remembered Spiderman saved one of them and paid their debt. They remembered.

StarCrossedFriday
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

3 toasty dogs, 2 warmed-up cats and a tarantula from a house fire - the disaster rescue version of the 12 days of Christmas. And no, I have no idea why my mind chose to go there.

Load More Comments
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda