One Puppy Dead, Another Dog Injured in House Fire

Clearwater Fire and Rescue is investigating the cause of a fire that left a puppy dead and another dog injured in a house fire Wednesday morning.

There were seven dogs inside when firefighters were called to the scene of a blaze at 517 Saturn Ave at 7:11 a.m., according to Joelle Castelli, public safety spokeswoman.

Firefighters found two adult dogs and five, nearly six-month old puppies as they searched the smoke-filled unit, Castelli said in a release.

A puppy died from smoke inhalation and the adult female dog was unconsious, having trouble breathing and very close to death when firefighters started working to resuscitate her with the use of a pet oxygen mask, Castelli said.

"The remainder of the six dogs appear to be alright," she said in a release.

The adult male dog appeared unharmed. The puppies have minor burn injuries and smoke inhalation but did not require treatment at the scene. They all were taken to the SPCA for veterinary care, Castelli said.

No occupants of the duplex were home at the time.

The Invisble Fence Company and Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital donated 15 pet oxygen masks to help Clearwater Fire and Rescue restock its supply last year.

Another recent donation of 15 masks made it possible to equip all first responding apparatus with them, Castelli said.

*updated 11:19 a.m. May 15, 2013

Related coverage:

• Clearwater Fire and Rescue Get Pet Oxygen Mask Donation

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