Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) responded to a residential structure fire Sunday morning, December 15, rescuing both a homeowner and their dog from a potentially fatal situation.
At 11:18 a.m., units were dispatched to the 11000 block of SW 72nd Avenue in Ocala after a 911 call reported smoke pouring from the home, a patient in the driveway, and a dog trapped inside.
Engine #23 was the first unit to arrive at 11:23 a.m., finding smoke emanating from the front of the residence and a person in need of medical attention. Rescue #32 followed shortly after, beginning patient care while additional units, including Engine #32, Tower #1, and Engine #31, arrived to assist with fire suppression.
Firefighters made a swift entry into the home to locate and extinguish the source of the fire. During their search, crews from Engine #21 found and rescued Tia, the homeowner’s dog, who was still inside. Tia was immediately treated with an oxygen mask to address smoke inhalation.
The homeowner was transported to a hospital for further treatment, and a neighbor took Tia to a veterinarian for additional care. No other injuries were reported among civilians or first responders.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
