As flames engulfed his home, Frederick Shaw grabbed Munchkin, one of his five cats, and darted through a cloud of thick smoke gasping for air. The 73-year-old Navy veteran stumbled onto the scorching pavement, which severely burned the palms of his hands. “And I let go of the cat.”A few blocks away, Rafael Ochoa, another longtime resident of Lahaina, the historic seaside community in West Maui, darted into his flaming house. “She’s family.”As an inferno fueled by furious winds engulfed Lahaina, survivors made wrenching choices the night of Aug. 8. Scrambling for safety, many took enormous risks to save beloved pets.

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Persons: Frederick Shaw, Munchkin, “, ”, Rafael Ochoa, cramming, Bella, ” Mr, Ochoa Organizations: Navy Locations: Lahaina, West Maui, darted