The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District (SHFAD) responded to a call about a vehicle fire at or around 3:21 p.m. on Sept. 13, ultimately saving the life of a dog in the process.
The on-scene commander, Jared Huenergardt, stated the caller, who was the owner of the vehicle, had stepped away to a nearby store before coming back to see his vehicle engulfed with smoke. He also let the responders know his dog was still in the vehicle.
Upon arriving on scene, crews got to work assisting the Sweet Home Police Department (SHPD) in extinguishing what was left of the fire. SHPD burnt up about four to five; five pound fire extinguishers. After Engine 21 was able to put the fire out completely, crews and SHPD got to work tearing things apart to find the pet, expecting the worst.
Shortly after picking up things in the back of the vehicle, they were able to locate the dog, which had sustained no injuries. Huenergardt stated he had never seen something like this in his career. It is presumed the dog hid itself underneath various items in the back of the vehicle.
“[The] dog burrowed its way back there, hunkered down and survived,” Sergeant Dave Hickcox said. “It was a good day.”
According to the on-scene commander, Huenergardt approximately five personnel from SHFAD were dispatched with a total of three vehicles. One engine, one medical and one command.
