Cedar Hill Fire Protection District crews rescued two dogs and a cat from a house fire on Lake Drive in Cedar Hill on June 22, according to Cedar Hill Fire Chief Mick Fischer.
Fischer said crews were dispatched at 7:54 p.m. after a fisherman at Lake Adelle saw smoke coming from the home.
Smoke was showing from the house’s eaves when crews arrived. The attic and the living room were the fire's primary areas, he said.
“It started in the attic and it dropped down into the living room,” Fischer said. “Neighbors reported that there were up to four animals in the house, so when crews made entry, they started searching for the animals.”
He said two adults and a child who live at the home were away at the time of the fire. A neighbor alerted the property owners to the fire and they arrived while crews were on the scene.
Emergency first responders administered oxygen and performed CPR on the pets rescued from the fire. The homeowner took the animals to a veterinarian for treatment and they are doing well, Fischer said.
He said there were two other cats reportedly in the house that crews couldn’t find, but the property owner said the cats were found in good health.
“They managed to hide very, very well,” Fischer said.
He said the fire was ruled accidental.
“There’s a possibility of an electrical malfunction that started the fire,” Fischer said. “It’s not inhabitable right now but I do believe that it could possibly be repaired.”
Big River Ambulance District, High Ridge and Hillsboro fire protection districts assisted on the call. Crews left the scene at 9:56 p.m., he said.