A fire that severely damaged an Imperial home also took the life of a beloved pet and sent an owner of the home, who tried to save the dog, to the hospital on Friday (Dec. 18).
The man and the woman who lived in the home, 5149 Dominion Drive, were at home and able to escape the fire safely. But the man re-entered the house to try to save their dog. He wasn’t able to get the animal out, though, and the dog died in the fire.
“This (the dog) was a family member,” said Fire Marshal Jeff DeLapp of the Rock Community Fire Protection District.
After the attempted rescue, the man needed treatment for smoke inhalation and was taken to an area hospital by the Rock Township Ambulance District, DeLapp said.
Rock Community Fire received the call at 11:38 a.m. and arrived on the scene at about 11:42. However, because of the location of the fire off East Rock Creek Road, the Saline Valley Fire Protection District was the first with trucks on the scene, DeLapp said.
Upon arrival, firefighters found “heavy fire through the roof,” DeLapp said.
He said the ranch-style home was large, about 2,500 to 2,800 square feet, and was severely damaged.
“About 3/4 of the roof was burned off,” DeLapp said.
Winds of 10 to 15 mph hampered firefighters, he said, adding that they attacked the fire from above, using a ladder.
Firefighters had the fire under control in about 30 to 45 minutes, DeLapp said.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation, he said.
“We know it started in back of the house, outside the house,” DeLapp said.
The American Red Cross was called to assist the family. DeLapp said the couple had a place to stay after the fire.
Trucks from the Rock Community Fire Protection District were back in service at 3:36 p.m.. DeLapp said.