Firefighters rescue three dogs from house fire
Royal Oak firefighters rescued three dogs from a house fire that started while the owners were away.
The fire was discovered about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of Red Run Drive near 12 Mile and Campbell roads.
“The three dogs were found together in the hallway,” said Royal Oak Fire Marshal Sean Lambouris. “They were removed. The dogs were alive but weak.”
Firefighters immediately gave the dogs oxygen outside the house.
Two of the animals improved rapidly, but one of the dogs had to be taken to an emergency veterinary clinic on John R in Madison Heights, fire officials said.
Assistant Fire Chief Jim Cook said there was so much smoke inside the house when firefighters arrived that they were unable to see the three dogs when they first arrived.
The blaze at the house, where two brothers live, left the home uninhabitable.
Fire officials said a man who lives in the neighborhood was the first to notice the fire.
“He saw a lot of smoke coming from the roof of the house,” Lambouris said. “He knocked on the door, but no one answered.”
The man then called 911 and firefighters arrived several minutes later and broke down the front door to get inside the house.
Fire officials contacted the brothers who came to the house after firefighters were there, Lambouris said.
“The problem with smoke is that it can have cyanide and a lot of other bad chemicals in it,” he said.
Fire officials early Wednesday had no information on the condition of the dog that was taken to the veterinarian for emergency treatment.
“The other two dogs were left with the brothers and we’re assuming they are doing OK,” Lambouris said.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.
Fire officials said it appears the blaze started in the kitchen of the two-story bungalow and spread from there.
Lambouris said the fire got into the walls and attic of the house as smoke filled the house.
After extinguishing the fire, firefighters were at the house cleaning up for more than three hours.
Holes were cut in the roof to let smoke and gasses escape.
There is smoke and water damage throughout the house.
Lambouris said the fire caused at least $100,000 in damage. The kitchen will have to be gutted, and the roof and attic replaced. Most of the furniture is destroyed and floors are waterlogged, he said.