Feb. 14--ALTON -- Firefighters train for dramatic, life-saving rescues, and they were more than prepared for the task when they saved a family's pet boxer Wednesday.
Lola lives -- thanks to the emergency crews that responded. Although her owner, Jodie Elliott, was in tears, she became elated as they brought out her "baby."
Alton Fire Chief Bernie Sebold said when he arrived shortly after 9 a.m. in the 2300 block of Fairview Avenue, smoke was billowing out the windows of the house, and Elliott was standing outside. He said she reported to firefighters that no one was in the house except for her boxer.
Sebold said firefighters quickly entered the home and extinguished the blaze that started in the kitchen. He said as soon as the fire was out, firefighters Steve Perry and Steve Sowders entered the house in search of the canine.
"The dog was found hiding between a bed and wall," Sebold said.
He said after Perry and Sowders carried the approximately 80-pound dog outside, rescuers immediately began administering oxygen to the pet. The Alton Fire Department received emergency oxygen kits for animals several years ago.
"The dog was breathing slow and shallow when she was brought out," Sebold said. "We were concerned, so we contacted Formea Animal Hospital to see if we could bring her in."
Prior to firefighters' arrival, Elliot stood outside the front door and called for her beloved pet. Witnesses reported that Elliott wanted to go inside the house and search for her dog, but they told her it wasn't safe to go inside.
Sebold said the reason for contacting Formea is the dog's veterinarian was located out of the area, and Lola seemed to have suffered significant smoke inhalation.
"I can't say enough about Formea, and they were wonderful for what they did," he said.
Sebold said that Sowders continued to treat the dog in the back of Elliott's vehicle as they drove to the animal hospital at 1735 Main St. The fire chief said that hours after taking Lola to the vet, he learned she was doing well.
Sebold said Elliott told firefighters that she had taken her oldest child to school and came back to find her house on fire. He said another child and her bulldog, Willie, went with her to the school.
The cause and origin investigation determined that the blaze started atop the electric stove after it accidentally got turned on and ignited several pizza boxes, Sebold said.
He said the stove's control knobs were located on the front of the appliance, and it's not exactly clear how they were turned on, but the owner said the dog could have done it accidentally while trying to reach the empty pizza boxes.
The fire was contained to the kitchen; however, the house suffered significant smoke damage, Sebold said.
Copyright 2013 - The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.
