Pooch saved in fire rescue, but mate perishes

Fire-fighter Neil Poulton, who rescued the dog from the house, quells the blaze that ripped through a Doveton home on Sunday. Pictures: KEITH PAKENHAM - CFA

By LACHLAN MOORHEAD

FIRE-fighters have saved the life of a dog caught in a Doveton house fire on Sunday, but a second dog has died in the blaze.
Members from the Hallam fire brigade were called to the Hawthorn Road residence at 11.50am yesterday where the two dogs were found in the front lounge room of the house.
Senior station officer Michael Lia said the surviving dog, Midnight, was now in a stable condition after almost losing its life.
The dog was administered oxygen on-site by the fire crew and warmed with a blanket until it recovered.
“The dog had really shallow breathing and was non-responsive to any touch,” Mr Lia said.
“The first internal crew had a breathing apparatus with them and were doing a search of the house for any person unaccounted for.
“Everyone had already gotten out and in that search they came across the dogs and brought out the one that showed some signs of life, they pulled that one straight out first.”
Neighbours took the dog to a local vet for treatment.
Mr Lia said the two occupants of the house were desperate to save their dogs and had to be restrained.
One male occupant was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation but is now in a stable condition.
While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, Mr Lia warned residents to be wary of electric heaters and to check smoke alarms.