Investigators are still working to determine what sparked a fire at a house in Orange County. Firefighters rescued a dog from the home on Nakomis Circle near John Young Parkway just in time.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office are now trying to figure out what caused the fire that almost claimed the life of the family dog, Ghost, whose crate almost became his coffin.
The Rottweiler almost didn't make it.
"I was so freaked out, I forgot I had a dog," said Ghost's owner, Ray Mercedes.
Mercedes was in his room Friday morning when, he said, he left for just a minute, returning to find a fast-growing fire.
"I tried to put it out, but it just got worse," Mercedes said.
As smoke filled the house, he got out. But Ghost, in his crate in the garage, did not. Arriving firefighters had to breaking into the garage to rescue him.
"I would estimate he had another 10 minutes maybe," said Chief Gregory Pines, Orange County Fire-Rescue.
"It touches your heart when you can get a pet out and reunite him with the family," said Lt. Juan Baquero, Orange County Fire-Rescue.
It then took almost an hour to put the blaze out. Firefighters said Fridays strong wind helped it spread across the attic. They're still trying to figure out what caused it. Mercedes said he's simply grateful both he and Ghost made it out.
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