'It's A Miracle': 3 Dogs Pulled From Burning Murrieta Home

MURRIETA, CA — As the Liberty Fire broke out last week, an ominous black plume of smoke signaled immediate danger to the Murrieta community. The blaze quickly consumed hundreds of acres and firefighting crews began structure protection where they could, saving several homes from the flames.

But there was one home they couldn't save, and it belonged to the Wade family.

The Wades moved into the beautiful hilltop house just 20 days prior to the fire. All of their possessions were in their new residence, and the Christmas tree was set up with gifts underneath. But none of that mattered as the merciless wind-fueled inferno approached. The family of six got out of the house with only the clothes on their backs. The youngest of the family didn't even have his shoes on.

That's according to Lisa Kelley, whose sister, Alaina Wade, and her family — including husband Jeff and four children ranging in age from 5 to 14 — lost everything they owned last Thursday. To make matters worse, they were told their cat and three dogs had been killed in the flames.

"I'm not sure how it was on the news that the dogs did not make it, but my brother-in-law got a call saying they didn't make it," Kelley told Patch. "Someone saying, 'I'm sorry you lost everything.'"

The children were "hysterical" at that news. Their possessions were replaceable, Kelley said, but the pets were not.

'A Miracle'

The following night, which happened to be the birthday of the Wade's 12-year-old son, there was a glimmer of hope.

"I got a Facebook message, and it said, 'Hi, do you know the Wades? Are these their dogs?'" Kelley said.

Careful not to get the kids' hopes up too quickly, Kelley showed her sister the photos that accompanied the message and soon confirmed that their dogs, Jax, Chewy and Francis, were all safe. She immediately called the person who had messaged her — a Riverside County firefighter, who wasn't identified — and learned that he and a fire captain had gone into the burning home and rescued the dogs.

"The truck wouldn't make it up the hill, so they had to run up," Kelley told Patch. "They went around the back side, and it's all glass, and they shattered the glass and that's how they got them."

The rescuer told Kelley the smoke was at his eye level, so the dogs were breathing in little of it. He did not see the cat, though, so the family is holding out hope it escaped.

"He said that the lab [Jax] came out no problem, the Great Dane [Francis] was a little spooked and the labradoodle [Chewy] ran back inside the house...[The firefighter] went to grab him and the kitchen collapsed [as they were running out]," Kelley said. "He just kept apologizing that he couldn't do more."

But to Kelley and the Wades, those two firefighters delivered a blessing beyond belief.

"Everybody was crying," Kelley said. "It was a amazing. It's a miracle."

Community Support

Kelley launched a GoFundMe account to help the Wades following the fire. Donations began to pour in immediately, and just under $20,000 has been donated to date. Strangers dropped off clothes, toys and more.

"[The Wades] are so grateful and thankful," Kelley said. "They haven't asked for any of it and haven't asked anyone for help...it's been really amazing what the communities have done. It's really heartwarming and it makes you feel good that people want to help."

For now, the Wades are staying at a local hotel until they figure out their next move. They were reunited with their pups on Monday, and they're trying to keep things as "normal" as possible for the children, Kelley said.

"It all kind of leaves a little light with happiness after this tragedy."

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RELATED:

• Click here to donate via GoFundMe to the Wade family
• Liberty Fire: Murrieta Blaze At 300 Acres, All Schools Canceled
• Devastation By The Liberty Fire: As Captured By Local Residents

Family and dog images courtesy the Wade family, via Lisa Kelley and GoFundMe