SAN ANTONIO --
A home full of rescued animals went up in flames Wednesday night, but thanks to firefighters, most of the animals made it out safely.
Using oxygen, CPR and other tools and skills, firefighters worked for more than an hour to revive three puppies pulled from the burning structure.
"I'm so grateful," homeowner Betty Ford said.
The home at the corner of Tropical and Kingston drives is a refuge for animals. Ford said she takes in as many animals as she can.
"I always take them in if I can help them," she said.
While she was away on Wednesday, fire broke out with all of her animals inside the house.
"We just left, went to see my aunt. She's in a nursing home in Seguin. We were almost right to the hospital and we had to make a U-turn and come right back," Ford said.
Officials believe the fire started in the garage, but they don't know the cause.
When firefighters arrived, they quickly started trying to get the animals out. Several bird cages sat on the front lawn after the blaze.
Three dogs and three puppies overcome with smoke made it out alive. After an hour, firefighters finally reunited the pups with their mother.
The animals were taken to an emergency vet clinic. Ford said she has always cared for needy animals. Now she is not sure where they will go or where she will go.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," she said.
