Protect them at all costs.

Four five-week-old kittens were rescued from a burning building in Offaly. The little guys were found hiding by local firefighters in a derelict building in Tullamore over the weekend. Emergency services were called to tackle the blaze which had generated "thick, black, toxic smoke." They discovered the kittens, rescued them from the building, and transferred them to the protection of the OSPCA. "The four little mites were found cowering in a corner by the fire fighters who were wearing breathing apparatus because of the thick, black, toxic smoke," said the OSPCA in a statement. "The kittens are just about five weeks old and were delivered safely into the loving caring hands of OSPCA volunteer foster carers Claire and Cathy. "The fire fighters searched the building for the mother cat and any other kittens that might be there but no others were found. Hopefully mama cat managed to get out." The kittens were "a little sooty" but according to the group, they are recovering well after their ordeal. The OSPCA shared progress photos of the kittens, depicting them being fed via bottle soon after being rescued from the building, and later sitting in a basket looking a lot healthier. There is no sign yet of the kittens' mother.