On March 11, 2014, an under construction building in San Francisco’s Mission Bay went up in flames. The building was not only destroyed, but it put in danger many adjacent buildings.
While the building on fire was empty, occupants on neighboring buildings were put at risk of losing their possessions and their lives. Luckily for them, 140 local firefighters came to the rescue saving their homes and lives.
Among those lucky ones were six dogs who had to be rescued by hero firefighters.
Photo Credit: Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle
Neska, a black German shepherd, was trapped on a fifth floor apartment across the street from the burning building. Firefighters heard the dog’s panic barks when the windows shattered from the heat.
Hero rescuers used a long ladder to reach her and bring her to safety.
All six dogs were temporarily cared for at an American Red Cross truck set up nearby as recovery station. There, all dogs were provided water and tasty peanut butter and cheese cracker snacks.
American Red Cross volunteers worked during and after the fire to reunite all pets with their owners.
Neska’s owner, Cecilia Pang, was able to find her pet an hour after the fire.
“I couldn’t find her,” Pang told The San Francisco Gate. “I ran up and down the street, but nobody could tell me where Animal Control was. I thought I would go out of my mind.”
Red Cross volunteer Allison Biddinger was holding Neska on a leash when Pang entered the truck, saw her pet, and rushed over to greet her.
The reunion was an emotional one.
