FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Four terrified pets are alive today because Fort Wayne firefighters refused to leave anyone behind, human or animal, during a fast-moving house fire Saturday night on the city’s northeast side.
Crews battled heavy smoke and flames in the 3300 block of Eastwood Drive after neighbors reported the glow around 10 p.m. Three adults and one child escaped on their own, but the family’s four pets were still trapped inside.
“When we know there are animals inside, we treat them exactly like people,” said Fort Wayne Fire Department Battalion Chief Adam O’Connor in an interview Sunday morning. “Our crews will not leave until every living thing is accounted for.”
Smoke Pouring from the Back of the Home
Firefighters arrived within minutes and found thick smoke pushing from the rear of the single-story house.
They forced entry through the front door and immediately stretched a hose line to the back of the structure where the fire was most intense.
One crew began an aggressive interior attack while a second team started searching for victims, both human and animal.
That’s when they located the four pets: two dogs and two cats, all hiding in different parts of the home, disoriented by smoke.
All four animals were carried out safely. Firefighters gave them oxygen using special pet masks carried on every engine, a practice the department has followed for years.
Fifteen Minutes from Alarm to Under Control
The fire was declared under control just fifteen minutes after the first engine arrived, a response time firefighters credit to quick 911 calls from neighbors and the department’s station placement on the northeast side.
Investigators determined the blaze started in an electrical panel in the utility room. Overloaded circuits appear to be the cause, though the exact trigger is still under review.
Damage is estimated at $85,000, but the home is salvageable. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced family with temporary housing and pet-friendly accommodations.
Why Pet Rescues Hit Home for Firefighters
Ask any Fort Wayne firefighter and they’ll tell you pet rescues are deeply personal.
Many of the crews have dogs and cats waiting for them at home. Captain Jamie Webb, one of the firefighters who carried out a frightened tabby cat Saturday night, said the moment still gives him chills.
“You look into their eyes and see pure panic,” Webb said. “Then you get them outside, they take that first big breath of fresh air, and their whole body relaxes against you. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
The department has saved dozens of pets in the past year alone. They keep pet oxygen masks on every apparatus and train regularly on animal rescue techniques.
Electrical Fires: The Silent Threat in Older Homes
Saturday’s fire marks the third electrical-related house fire in Fort Wayne so far this year.
Older homes in neighborhoods like Eastwood Drive often have outdated wiring that can’t handle modern loads: space heaters, phone chargers, gaming systems, and holiday lights all pulling power at once.
Simple steps can prevent tragedy:
• Have an electrician inspect your home every 10 years
• Never overload outlets or power strips
• Replace frayed cords immediately
• Install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in bedrooms and living areas
• Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything flammable
The Fort Wayne Fire Department offers free home safety visits. Residents can call 427-1477 to schedule one.
The rescued pets spent Sunday recovering with their family at a relative’s home. Photos shared by the owners show the dogs wagging tails again and the cats already claiming new sunny spots on the couch.
In a city that loves its pets, Saturday night was another reminder that Fort Wayne’s firefighters truly do answer the call for every member of the family.
What do you think about firefighters risking their lives for pets? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and if you’re feeling grateful for our first responders today, share this story with #FWFDHeroes.
