World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
Woman dies after re-entering burning home to save cats in Avegno
Gabriella Gellio, a 69-year-old cat breeder, died in a house fire in Salto, a village in Avegno near Recco, Italy.
She and her husband had escaped the burning home, but Gellio went back inside to save her cats.
The fire happened late on Thursday, October 29, and the roof collapsed while she was inside.
About 20 Maine Coon cats lived in the home; most survived, while three remain missing.
The house was destroyed, and firefighters worked through the night to put out the fire and make the area safe.
Investigators are still determining the cause, though a short circuit is suspected.
Gellio had been a primary school teacher and had bred Maine Coons for about 15 years.
Gabriella Gellio died after re-entering her burning home in Avegno, Italy, to try to save her cats.
The fire broke out late on Thursday, October 29, in the Salto area of Avegno.
Gellio had escaped the house with her husband before going back inside.
The roof collapsed while she was inside, according to reports.
About 20 Maine Coon cats lived at the home; three were reported missing and the others were saved.
- Who
- Gabriella Gellio, identified by two reports as 69 years old. ANSA described her as 70.
- What
- She died after returning to her burning home to try to save her cats.
- When
- Late on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at about 22:45.
- Where
- A home on Via Posato in Salto, Avegno, near Recco in the province of Genoa, Italy.
- Why
- She re-entered the house to try to rescue her cats. The fire’s cause was under investigation; reports mentioned a suspected short circuit, while ANSA said it may have started at the fireplace.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A fire broke out at the home in Via Posato in Salto, Avegno.
Gellio went back into the burning house to try to save the cats.
The roof collapsed while Gellio was inside.
Fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze and secure the site.
- Victim
- Gabriella Gellio; two reports gave her age as 69, while ANSA reported 70
- Location
- Via Posato, Salto, Avegno, near Recco
- Fire reported
- About 22:45 on October 29, 2026
- Cats
- About 20 Maine Coons; three were reported missing
- Suspected cause
- A short circuit was suspected by two reports; ANSA said the fire may have started at the fireplace
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What people are saying
Hai dato la vita per loro, immenso estremo atto d'amore
Ci hai lasciato i 3 doni più belli che potessimo avere. Grazie per la tua presenza, disponibilità e amore infinito per queste creature...fino alla fine