How the Tiverton Firefighters Saved a Little Black Dog

TIVERTON, RI -- They don't know the dog's name or even if it's a boy or a girl. But the nine, who put out last week's fire at 32 North Christopher Road, say they are going to remember that little black dog they rescued.

"The dog actually hid in the fireplace," said Capt. Joseph Plocica, who added the animal retreated to the only survivable spot in the house. Since the flue was open, the smoke and heat went up the chimney and outside.

This fire, which had started in the kitchen, became so hot and smoky so fast, he said, "probably the only tenable spot for the dog was the back of the fireplace where they found her."

Firefighter Brian Thompson had searched the fireplace when he and Firefighter James Miranda initially checked the house for occupants. They arrived first on Engine 3.

Neighbors had called when they saw smoke coming from the eaves but couldn't say if anyone were home.

The firefighters didn't know a dog was in the burning house, and the first two times, they missed the dog, they said.

"It was a black dog in a dark environment," Capt. Plocica said. Plus, the interior was black due to heavy smoke.

Thompson said he went over the fireplace and didn't find the dog.

Miranda said they were looking for people, due to the fact a car was in the garage. They found no one on the first pass, and then he and Thompson went back outside to haul a hose into the house and start dousing the fire.

Engine 2 arrived next with Lt. Josh Ferriera and Firefighters Brad Lynch, Craig Insana and Don Clark.

Then Lt. Bill Heon and Firefighter Chris Sirr came on Engine 1, and Capt. Plocica in the car.

All seven firefighters were working inside the burning house, with no one left outside to help if they ran into trouble, the captain said.

Plocica described "extreme heat" inside the house and said the fixtures were melting off the walls and ceilings on the first floor.

On the second floor, the light fixtures melted, and the firefighters felt their knees burning through their turnout gear, he said.

The house was built during the last 20 years, and it was designed to be circular, meaning the center of the home was open and became "completely charged with smoke and heat." The smoke had traveled all the way down to the floor.

Also, it was hard to get their bearings. "The layout of the house is confusing, and it was pitch black," he said.

Under those conditions, finding a survivor of any species is a matter of training, skill and luck, he allowed. But they kept looking to make sure they hadn't overlooked anyone, per their training.

Plocica said the firefighters found the dog by feeling their way around the fireplace.

The dog wasn't crying, either, the firefighters said.

"The dog was just sitting in the corner, looking around," Miranda said. He picked it up, and the firefighters gave oxygen.

They have the special masks for pets. Then they took it outside, and a retired firefighter took charge of the dog.

"I was surprised it was alive," Miranda said, due to the conditions inside the house.

Miranda said the residents, an adult couple, had gone to the beach. The wife wanted to take the dog along, but the husband had said they weren't going to be long and the dog would be fine at home.

He told Miranda, "I'm so happy you saved the dog." His wife would have been so upset.