MEDIA RELEASE
4 January 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Hess, Fire Chief
St. Tammany Fire District No. 1
lhess@slidellfire.org
985/966-4131
Fire District No. 1 Saves Pets During House Fire
At approximately 9:33 PM on Monday, January 3, firefighters from St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 responded to a fire at 210 Rooks Drive in the North Forest sub-division.
The first arriving company was on the scene within four minutes of being dispatched and reported heavy smoke and fire showing from the 1,900 square-foot home. Responding firefighters were informed that the occupants had safely evacuated without injuries; however, two dogs and cat remained in the burning house.
As firefighters initiated suppression efforts attacking the fire that was in the kitchen area of the home, they also found the pets, (Boo-Boo and Bye-Bye) and removed them to safety with no injuries. The cat was found safe after the fire was extinguished.
Larry Hess, Fire Chief of St. Tammany Fire District No. 1, noted the rapid and effective interior attack of the fire was instrumental in not only saving the lives of the family’s pets, but also minimizing the damage to the home. The fire was contained to the kitchen.
Without the quick and professional manner in which our firefighters attacked this fire, Hess said, this could have had a much sadder outcome for the family regarding their dogs and cat and significantly more damage to their home.
The owner mentioned to us that he gave some thought about re-entering the home to retrieve the pets on his own, Hess said. Clearly, this is a difficult situation; however, he did the right thing and waited for us to affect the rescue.
Once out of a burning building no one should go back in for any reason, Hess stressed.
Hess noted that when well-trained firefighters make an aggressive, interior attack on a fire like this in such a short period of time, that good things happen.
Fire Prevention Bureau personnel of St. Tammany Fire District No. 1 have not completed their investigation as to the exact cause of this fire as of this media release.