Monroe, North Carolina
Monroe Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at 1301 Few Street Thursday at approximately 8:50 p.m. Upon their arrival, firefighters found a vehicle parked under an attached carport area, with the vehicle and carport area of the home both heavily involved in fire. The fire was rapidly growing with smoke and heated gases spreading into the living area of the home. Firefighters quickly attacked and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading further into the home.
Monroe Firefighters were advised when they arrived that everyone was safety out of the home, but that the family’s three dogs and two cats were unaccounted for. Firefighters quickly began searching the home for the missing pets while other firefighters continued to extinguish the blaze. A thermal imaging camera, which is a device used by firefighters to search for victims trapped in smoky and dark environments, was used in the search. Firefighters located one dog inside the residence and the other two dogs in the crawl space under the residence, where they had fled to escape the fire and excitement. Two of the rescued dogs were alive, however one received minor burns to its hair. The other dog however was lifeless and not breathing when firefighters rescued it from the home.
Firefighters quickly began administering CPR and administered oxygen using a specially designed rescue mask for animals. The dog was revived and within 30 to 45 minutes was up walking around. He was taken to a vet for further examination and as of last reports was doing well. The family’s two cats were located alive and well and determined to have escaped on their own.
Investigators with the department’s Fire Marshal’s Division determined the fire started in the vehicle and rapidly spread into the carport area of the home. The vehicle was destroyed and damage to the home is estimated at $15,000.
Please contact the Monroe, NC Fire Department for additional information on home heating safety information.
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