FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Several residents and a dog were safely evacuated from an apartment building in Fort Lauderdale following reports of a fire, with smoke spreading to adjacent units.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said they received a 911 call in reference to a fire at a multi-unit structure along the 1100 block of Northwest Fifth Court, just before 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Crews arrived at the scene to encounter smoke emitting from the eaves of the structure, which houses four neighboring units.
The fire started in one unit, with smoke from the fire spreading to a nearby unit, where a pit bull mix dog named “Pandora” was home alone.
The 1-year-old dog was removed from her crate by firefighters and given oxygen. She is reportedly “doing well”.
7News cameras captured Pandora’s owner, Mario, carrying her with a smile on his face. When asked if he’s glad she’s OK, he said “very glad, very grateful.”
Fire crews say if it wouldn’t have been for their fast response, it could’ve ended very badly.
“The dog didn’t have much longer with the level of smoke that was in there. It would’ve suffocated,” said FLFR Assistant Chief Tim Heiser.
The fire fight lasted approximately 10 minutes, according to officials.
Mario said he’s thankful for the firefighters’ actions.
“Thankfully they were here because nobody was here so the dog was just in the house in the cage so she couldn’t get out,” he said. “She was heavy breathing a little bit.”
Neighbors worked together, going door to door to make sure anyone else who was asleep was also woken up.
A resident in another unit was woken up by the fire and safely evacuated.
The unit in which the fire started was vacant.
No injuries were reported, but two units were damaged by the flames.
One resident said the fire likely started from a faulty charger in a closet, though officials have not confirmed that information.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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