Fire fighters save dogs from fire

Fresno fire fighters are being hailed as heroes after they saved three dogs from a fire early this evening in southwest Fresno.

The fire was reported just after five Monday night at a junk yard on Golden State and Church.

Fire crews had a difficult time getting to the fire. And once they did, they discovered the animals.

Smoke poured into the sky in southwest Fresno as a junkyard burned.

Fire crews had to cut through metal fences. And once they got into the junk yard, they encountered more obstacles.

"There is so much debris, unmovable debris. We’re talking old cars that have been there for years," Fresno Fire Battalion Chief Rod Stogdell said.

Fire crews discovered several dogs on the property. Three adult dogs were rescued by fire fighters. Viewers took photos as fire fighters carried those dogs to safety. But a litter of puppies didn’t survive.

"Several of the puppies in the yard are deceased. The adult dogs attempted to evacuate the burn area. They were injured by the fire," Stogdell said.

A fire fighter bathed one of the injured dogs in cool water. A water bowl was brought for another dog. The SPCA was called to evaluate the dogs and talk with the owner.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
But the owner of the property believes it started near one of the cars.

"He was showing one of the vehicles to a potential buyer. He started the vehicle. They departed the area and they turned around and they noticed a small fire starting in the vicinity of the vehicle," Stogdell said.

The fire department flooded the junk yard with water to get the fire under control.