A 12 year-old boy was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons after a house fire in the 7200 block of South Teri Place. Several dogs were taken out of the house by firefighters and survived after receiving oxygen but unfortunately four dogs passed away in the fire.
Multiple calls were made reporting heavy smoke from the home and the first Tucson Fire Engine arrived and confirmed smoke from the eaves of the home. The crew confirmed that everyone was out of the house but there were several dogs in the yard. They pulled hose lines through the front door and came across heavy fire in the kitchen of the home which was in the back of the house.
While the initial crew was fighting the fire, additional crews arrived on scene and helped with a search of the home. Several dogs were found in the home during the search, some of whom had already passed away. Two dogs were handed out to waiting crews through a window and immediately received supplemental oxygen with our pet cpr kits. Both dogs survived after receiving the oxygen. Nine units consisting of 23 firefighters responded to the fire and controlled the fire 22 minutes after arriving. There were no injuries to firefighters.
One resident, the 12 year-old, was home at the time of the fire. He stated that he heard a lot of barking from the dogs and opened his bedroom door to see why. He saw flames a lot of smoke so he immediately went back into his bedroom and then got out of the house through the window. He was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons due to smoke inhalation. Red Cross and Animal Control were responding to the scene to assist the residents, a couple in their thirties. Fire investigators were on scene and determined that the fire started in the kitchen.
Origin – Kitchen
Cause – Under Investigation
Damages Estimate – Not yet determined
The Tucson Fire Department suggests that residents should have two ways of out every bedroom. In this case, the 12 year old realized that going out the window but safer and faster than trying and running through the house on fire. Practice opening the window and climbing out during both the day and night.