Dog News

Heroic Firefighters Revive Dog Pulled from House Fire

by Melanie

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Fort Worth Fire Battalion Chief Gary Lee checks Corky for signs of life.

 

Crew members of the Fort Worth Fire Department worked diligently to resuscitate a dog pulled from a burning home that had been unconscious for about 30 minutes.

A fire broke out at single-story Texas house on Thursday afternoon.  Neighbors were calling 911, but a fire truck happened to be in the area at the time and were already on their way after spotting smoke.

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Sam Villareal, Gary Lee, and Kevin Kouns work on Corky

 

“The driver said he noticed a haze, and they drove right up to it,” said  Engineer Tim Hardeman, fire department spokesman.

Fourteen other crews also responded to battle the intense blaze that was spurred by strong winds and interior clutter.  Flames were reaching the attic, but the firefighters were able to control the fire.

A neighbor told them that an elderly man lived there with two dogs.  The man was not inside at the time, but his dogs were.  Firefighters quickly found them.

“One was okay,” said Hardeman, “but the other was unresponsive.”

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Gary Lee comforts Corky

 

Firefighters hastily started work to revive Corky, who was perilously close to death.  They used CPR and special oxygen masks for dogs.  After half an hour, he finally came around.  He was alive, but crew members urged the owner to take him to a veterinarian, as inhaling smoke can later cause fluid to develop in the lungs.

Firefighters understand how important furry family members are, and strive to do their best to save them as well as their owners.

“Of course, saving human life is the priority,” Hardeman said, “but if we can offer assistance, medically, to an animal, we’re going to do what we can.”

 

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Gary Lee gets a thank you kiss from Corky