Firefighters and police officers in Manchester, Connecticut, teamed up to rescue a litter of distressed kittens. It happened on Tuesday night while the two departments were on a call for service. According to a Manchester Police Department post on social media, a resident explained that a litter of kittens appeared to have been abandoned and were stuck in an area storm drain.

The first responders were able to remove the drain gate and gather the pile of little black fluffballs, who looked a bit bedraggled but still adorable. They then took the frightened felines to a local veterinary hospital for care.

Local residents were very appreciative of their first responders’ efforts to look after the small and vulnerable, commenting, “You guys are superheroes!” and “Thanks for saving these babies!” on the department’s social media post.

There have not yet been any more updates about the condition of the kittens, but from the photographs shared by first responders, they appeared to be healthy, although possibly cold and scared.

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.