SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Pets were rescued from a Palmetto Bay home that caught fire, Thursday morning, but one did not survive.
7Skyforce HD flew over the scene near Southwest 151st Street and 89th Avenue, where smoke was seen billowing from the house’s garage. Three dogs were seen outside the home after Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rescued them.
“The house was engulfed in flames, and all I could think about were my animals in the house,” said homeowner Beth Saltzman.
A parakeet, unfortunately, died as a result of the fire, officials confirmed.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, there were no other victims or injuries to anyone involved in the house fire, including the pets.
Officials said there were, luckily, no occupants other than the pets inside the home at the time of the fire.
“We were really overwhelmed. We thought we lost them, and we didn’t,” said homeowner Jeffery Saltzman. “Thank God for fire rescue, the fire department. I don’t know what else I could do for them.”
Firefighters responded to the fire just before 10 a.m., which has since been contained. The house has been deemed a total loss.
However, fire rescue officials had a tough time extinguishing the flames due to the home’s hurricane protection, which made it difficult for firefighters to enter through the garage.
Crews eventually entered the front, where the dogs Beau, Sadie and Zeus were found.
“Once they heard there were pets inside, everybody sort of accelerated,” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Kevin Martin. “I still get chills from it right now that when, every time we got one of the dogs, we got it confirmed over the radio: one dog out, two dogs out, three dogs out. My crews did an awesome job, and the fact that the three dogs were out on leashes and the homeowner was grateful.”
The Saltzmans said they’re grateful to firefighter Marvin Ady and Capt. Richard Rosell.
“I was just doing my job,” Ady said. “Great feeling. I’ve got a pep in my step.”
“It feels good, it feels good. It’s what we do,” Rosell said.
The family said they have more of an appreciation for firefighters. “Raging in fire around them, and they are worried about the dogs,” Jeffery said. “I mean, that shows a lot about Miami-Dade County employees. They care. They really care.”
The dogs are now resting at a nearby animal clinic.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. However, the family said they believe the fire started with a faulty outlet in the garage.
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