Dog Burns Nose, Paws; Cat Missing in Tee Court Fire

A family of three escaped a Lower Macungie Township house fire uninjured on Tusday night, but three pets were affected and a fourth pet, at last word, was still missing, according to a fire official.

Volunteers from Lower Macungie Fire Department and Trexlertown were called  1199 Tee Court at 9:41 p.m. A caller in the Shepherd Hills development reported a neighbor's house was on fire, according to emergency scanner transmissions.

The first Lower Macungie Fire Department officer to arrive reported heavy smoke coming from the home. He later reported flames to the rear of the home climbing from the first floor and up the back of the two-story townhouse, the transmissions said.

It took firefighters from Lower Macungie, Trexlertown and Cetronia about 50 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

Lower Macungie Fire Chief David Nosal said afterward that the fire began in the kitchen, but the cause is still under investigation. He said damage was extensive on the first floor and moderate on the second.

Although the three residents -- one adult and two children -- escaped unharmed, four pets were affected. A Jack Russell terrier received burns to its feet and nose, according to Maureen Keenan, rescue officer of Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team. Despite the burns, the dog was wagging its tail and appeared alright, she said. It was being treated at Maple Hills Veterinary Hospital in Lower Macungie.

The dog and two cats were exposed to smoke, but were stable, she added.

A third cat is missing and appears to have run off in the commotion, she said. It is hoped the cat will return. The Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley assisted the three family members and seven additional people from an adjacent homes who also were affected, according to transmissions.

Nosal called for additional personnel to respond from Trexlertown and Cetronia fire departments. He also requested that a cascade truck respond from Woodlawn Fire Department to fill bottles for self-contained breathing apparatus.

Nosal called the fire under control at 10:33 p.m.

Macungie Ambulance Corps assisted at the scene.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley was called to assist 10 residents from two homes affected by the fire, according to transmissions.

Nosal called to have a specialty construction company respond to board windows, doors and a hole in the roof, according to transmissions.