SAN RAFAEL, CA — Firefighters rescued a family dog from a burning San Rafael apartment Tuesday after its owners were forced to flee without their pet, fire officials said.
Crews were dispatched around 1:07 p.m. on Tuesday to a five-unit apartment building at 16 Elaine Way, where they found a fire burning in the kitchen of one of the units.
The four occupants had safely evacuated, but their dog was inadvertently left behind as they rushed from the apartment, officials said.
Firefighters entered the building, found the dog unharmed and reunited it with its owners.
Crews quickly brought the fire under control and prevented the flames from spreading beyond the kitchen or into neighboring apartments.
The kitchen sustained substantial damage, while thick smoke spread throughout the rest of the apartment and left the unit temporarily uninhabitable.
The American Red Cross was called to assist the four displaced residents with temporary lodging and other immediate needs.
Investigators determined the fire started on the stove before spreading to other parts of the kitchen.
No injuries were reported.
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