FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities rescued five dogs from a burning home in Fort Lauderdale’s Melrose Park neighborhood Thursday morning, but one of the six pets did not survive the heavy blaze.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews responded to the single-story home near Pennsylvania Avenue and Southwest Sixth Street just after 10 a.m. after a family escaped the flames with two of their pets, authorities said.
Firefighters worked quickly to bring the fire under control and focused on saving the trapped animals.
FLFR said two of the rescued dogs were removed along with a tenant, while four others were found inside the home. Of those, two were taken to a nearby animal hospital for treatment, one was unharmed, and one did not survive, according to authorities.
Sky 10 footage showed firefighters on the roof cutting through sections, a blue tent set up nearby, and crews actively working at the scene. One firefighter was seen carrying a pink blanket.
The residents, who safely evacuated, are receiving assistance from emergency responders.
The owner of the home told Local 10 News that he believes the started inside one of the bedrooms in his home.
“When I opened the door, a lot of smoke hit me in the face. I ran inside to see if I could find out what was happening. I went through the hallway into my son’s bedroom, and it was on fire. I thought I could put it out with a pot or pan of water, but the smoke was overwhelming and it was getting to me.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
