The man who lost everything except his kitten: 83-year-old clutches his only surviving pet after devastating fire destroyed his home, all his possessions and his other cats

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These heartbreaking photos capture the moment an 83-year-old man clutches his pet cat while weeping over the charred remains of his home.

Ali Meşe, from Ordu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, burned his house down after trying to light his wood stove with gasoline. 

As everything he loved perished in front of him, he took comfort in cuddling up to his adorable feline friend.

These heartbreaking photos capture the moment an 83-year-old man clutches his pet cat while weeping over the charred remains of his home

Ali Meşe, from Ordu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey, burned his house down after trying to light his wood stove with gasoline

Neighbours alerted firefighters to Ali's home after noticing the flames.

He had been trying to cook on a wood stove but the gasoline he poured on caused it to explode.   

Thankfully, Ali and his family - and one of his cats - were saved from the blaze and no one suffered serious injuries, local media reported.

Ali has always been very fond of cats and had a handful living with him at the time of the tragic accident - but only one managed to get out alive

Ali has always been very fond of cats and had a handful living with him at the time of the tragic accident.

But only one managed to get out alive. 

The pensioner also lost almost all of his hens in the blaze. 

Ali was taken to the hospital to treat his minor burns and emerged a day later with a heavily-bandaged right hand. But he was then reunited with his beloved cat

The inseparable pair looked ecstatic to finally be back together after their horrific ordeal, cuddling up to each other in a blissful embrace

Ali was taken to the hospital to treat his minor burns and emerged a day later with a heavily-bandaged right hand.

But he was then reunited with his beloved cat.

The inseparable pair looked ecstatic to finally be back together after their horrific ordeal.