This is the heart-wrenching moment firefighters carried an
injured dog away from a house blaze in New Jersey after risking their lives to
rescue two pet canines - but only managing to save one.
Fire crews were called to the multi-family home on Frances
Street in Totowa on Sunday afternoon following reports of a three-alarm fire.
They quickly determined no people were at the residence.
However, two dogs were inside the property - a Labrador retriever
belonging to the unidentified family on the second floor, and a Shih Tzu owned
by Carmen and Julio Valencia on the first floor.
Firefighters set about tackling the blaze and initially
appeared to have it under control. But before long, flames were flaring up
through the house's roof, sending black smoke billowing into the sky.
In an effort to save the pet dogs, officials wearing masks
pulled up a ladder to the side of the building and climbed up to a second-floor
window, which at one point, flames were spotted shooting out of.
They managed to pull the yellow Labrador through the
window, before carrying the panting dog to safety in bedding. They then laid
the terrified animal on the ground and gave it oxygen and water.
The Labrador was treated at a veterinarian following the
fire, which occurred at around 2.30 p.m., according to NorthJersey.com. Its
current condition is unknown and its owners remain unnamed.
But despite the dog's escape, the Valencias' pet Shih Tzu,
Luke, was not so fortunate. Firefighters asked the couple where their
six-month-old puppy might be hiding, before entering the first floor.
However, when they found Luke, he was already dead.
The Valencias, who have two sons, apparently broke down
when they were told their beloved pet had been killed in the blaze. They were
handed the deceased puppy in a white bag by officials.
Speaking to the news site, Mr. Valencia, 49, said his wife
was 'freaking out' about the death of the Luke, whom she had been worrying
about during their frantic drive back to their burning home.
She was also reportedly so shocked about the fire that she
had to be given oxygen at the scene.
Firefighters from Totowa, Little Falls, Woodland Park and
Wayne spent several hours battling the blaze on Sunday afternoon. The property
was left severely damaged, with huge holes in its roof.
No injuries to officials were reported, and the cause and
origin of the fire remain unknown.
Police were also at the scene. An investigation is
ongoing.
Saved: This is the heart-wrenching moment firefighters
carried an injured dog away from a house blaze in Totowa, New Jersey, after
risking their lives to rescue two pet canines - but only managing to save one.
Assistance: Firefighters managed to pull the yellow
Labrador retriever through a second-floor window of the burning property. After
rescuing the animal, they laid on the ground and gave it oxygen and water
(above).
Street Emergency crews were called to the multi-family
house on Frances Street (pictured) in Totowa on Sunday afternoon following
reports of a three-alarm fire. No family members were at home at the time.
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