Neighbors help save dogs trapped in house fire

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Neighbors helped save two dogs that were trapped inside a burning house in Wilmington Monday night.

WFD spokesman Battalion Chief David Hines said neighbors kicked in the front door of 5048 Park Ave. to rescue the pets. The family was not home when the fire broke out around 5 p.m., and no one was hurt. Hines said firefighters had the flames under control by around 6 p.m.

Hines said when crews arrived, they found the two-story building in the 5000 block of Park Ave. engulfed in flames, and had to block off the street. Firefighters then had to fight the fire in a defensive mode which meant they could not go inside right away.

Hines says the fire started on the exterior of the home in the front porch area. The cause is undetermined at this time, and still under investigation. Damages to the structure was $250,000 a total loss and another $100,000 to contents. It was confirmed that no one was at home at the time of the fire. The two dogs that were rescued are confirmed to be safe and secure.