Firefighter John Buckland, dressed as Batman for his "Heroes 4 Hire" business, saw smoke rising from a nearby house while he was teaching a group of kids. He and Captain America (Troy Marcum) rushed into the Milton, West Virginia house and saved a cat. (Screenshot via WCHS)

Batman and Captain America saved the day in Milton, West Virginia when they rescued a cat from a burning house.


John Buckland and Troy Marcum were both in costume teaching positive lessons to kids at the local American Legion Post when they saw smoke rising from a nearby building.

Before Buckland, a.k.a. Batman, started his "Heroes 4 Hire" business, he was a firefighter and served in Iraq, and wasted no time in rushing toward the flames.

Together, Buckland and Marcum were able to break down the door of the house.

"I grabbed his shoulders, gave it everything we got and the door opened," Buckland said, adding that his training just "kicked in."

"He (Marcum) breaks out the window," Buckland said. "The smokes lets out and as I can start to see I reach down and grab something furry!"

The homeowners were out of town, and their cat was trapped inside the house. Buckman freed and resuscitated the feline, but says it was no fan of the bat costume.

"The cat comes around," Buckland said. "Takes a look at me, then hissed!"

But witnesses are singing the heroes' praises. "He did a great job," said witness Tom Cantaberry. "It was complete chaos!"

But Buckman says despite the costume, he's no hero. "I just wonder what the cat was thinking," Buckland said. "I'm glad no one was inside."