Unconscious Man and Dog Revived by St. Louis Firefighters

May 5, 2014
The cause is under investigation.

May 05--ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis firefighters carried an unconscious man and dog from a burning home early Monday morning in the 6400 block of Colletta Drive and helped resuscitate them on the front lawn.

The man was revived and rushed to a hospital in critical condition, said St. Louis Fire Capt. Gregg Favre. The victim's name was unavailable but officials estimated he is about 50 years old.

A woman about the same age was able to escape on her own before firefighters arrived, Favre said. She was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The family pet, a lab mix, was also found unconscious and not breathing in the home as rescuers made a second sweep of the single-story frame home, Favre said. They carried him outside and revived him using oxygen and a special mask designed for pets.

The fire was reported at about 4:30 a.m. Monday. When firefighters arrived, they saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the home. They were told someone was trapped inside.

Crews went inside and found the man wedged behind a doorway. He was unconscious and not breathing when firefighters picked him up by his legs and shoulders and carried him out the front door, Favre said. EMS crews helped resuscitate him.

Favre said the dog was unconscious and not breathing when crews pulled him out, but firefighters resuscitated him and his eyes were open and he was panting heavily. Firefighters stayed with him until someone from the Humane Society arrived about 45 minutes later.

"We were providing as much comfort as we could, petting him and speaking softly," Favre said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Because someone was critically injured, the police bombing and arson detectives will be part of the investigation.

Kim Bell covers breaking news for www.STLtoday.com and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Contact her at 314-340-8115 or [email protected]

Copyright 2014 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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