Firefighters See Thick Smoke Pouring from Basement. 17 Dogs, Puppies Trapped in Fire
House fires happen quite often throughout the year. However, the American Red Cross says they normally happen the most during the fall and winter season.
Between December and January, house fires are at their peak in the U.S. They tend to affect all kinds of victims, especially seniors over 65 and children under age 5.
While elders and kids are at a higher risk of dying in a residential fire, anyone involved can be just as vulnerable, including pets. One of these destructive events recently happened in Detroit, Michigan.
Firefighters from Engine 57, 55, and 53 were all called to the scene of a raging house fire. By the time they got there, all they could see was thick smoke pouring from the basement.
Naomi Huff, a firefighter with Engine 57, remembered someone telling her that there were dogs still inside.
They thought that there were probably only a couple in the house, which would be standard for most households. But this was no average household.
Much to their surprise, they soon discovered that there were actually a total of 17 dogs of various ages trapped, doomed to a fiery death.
It was not mentioned what the dogs were used for, but they appeared well-cared-for. They also look like a bully breed of some sort.
With help from paramedics, the crews rescued seven adult dogs and ten puppies. Some of them weren’t breathing, so firefighters resuscitated them using their own oxygen masks.
“I put it right by their mouth and nose and one hand pumping on the rib cage,” Huff told WDIV-TV. “Trying to hope for the best.”
Paramedic Todd Sclafani couldn’t believe they pulled out so many pups from the fire. He was determined to save as many lives as possible.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a two-legged or four-legged life,” Sclafani said. “I was doing CPR, one in each hand.”
Sadly, two dogs did not survive. Their deaths struck a nerve in Sergent Jimmy Nadolski.
He pointed out that his firefighters needed the proper devices to help save animals. “We need pet masks, animal masks,” he said.
Many departments have received donations from groups committed to providing the proper equipment for emergencies just like this one, and this department hopes someone might step up soon to help them out.
Saving the life of every dog was so important to Nadolski that he’s hoping someone will donate some of these special masks to his department.
Despite the loss of two lives, the rescue crews were just happy about the 15 dogs that did survive the deadly house fire. Thanks to their intervention, those 15 pups will have another chance at life.
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