Firefighters battle blaze, rescue dog
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on January 13, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Chris Walker, David Grice and Chase King attempt to comfort and administer first aid to Amelia Lorraine, a 3-year-old dog, after she was rescued by firefighters with Engine 2 from the burning home at 2609 Hill Drive Circle Monday afternoon.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
With tear-filled eyes, Septimber Clements hugs Amelia Lorraine after the dog's rescue from a house fire.
Septimber Clements bolted through fire trucks surrounding 2609 Hill Drive Circle as smoke billowed from her home Monday with one thing on her mind -- where was her dog, Amelia Lorraine.
Smoke had heavily damaged the outside of her home and only four of her five dogs were accounted for.
Tears streamed down her face, blending with the heavy rains of the day.
Several minutes ticked by before Goldsboro Fire Department firefighters pulled Ms. Clements' dog from inside her residence Monday afternoon.
Wayne County EMS then worked to make sure the 3-year-old mixed breed was OK.
"EMS administered oxygen and the dog recovered fine," Assistant Fire Chief James Farfour said.
The fire started outside the home on the back porch and creeped through the eaves into the attic, firefighters said, likely from an electrical component short-circuiting.
The badly burned house was not the first thing on Ms. Clements' mind. All she wanted was for Amelia Lorraine to be all right.
"She had created a warm spot for the dogs when it had been so cold recently, blankets and a heat lamp. Well, she just left the heat lamp on and that provided enough heat to get it started," Farfour said.
The fire burned down the porch then spread into the kitchen. The rest of the house had suffered severe smoke damage.
Amelia Lorraine, a little spooked, but alive, was reunited with her owner moments after the rescue.
Ms. Clements scooped her up into her arms when she saw her.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and nobody was injured.
"Eight people live here," Ms. Clements said. "And five dogs. Four of the people that live here are small children."
Farfour said the internal damage was more extensive than the outside.
"When the fire gets up in the attic -- it gets pretty extensive when you have to go in there and tear down ceiling." he said.
Ceiling was pulled in the kitchen area and the carport.
The house was deemed unsafe to occupy.
Fire Chief Gary Whaley was also at the scene Monday.
"When we got here the smoke was just pouring out," Whaley said. "You can see where the smoke came up to the front of the house and caused damage."
Ms. Clements lives with the Duncan family -- the other seven residents at the house -- who she says is her "adopted family."
The family did not know how they would recover -- Ms. Clements said all of the children's clothes had been damaged, and nearly everything in the house had been damaged as well.
"They aren't going to be able to live here right now," Whaley said.
Then, Whaley stepped up to provide an avenue for aid for the family.
To help the Duncan family, Whaley said his church will be accepting donations.
Whaley said those that wish to help can send checks or aid in any form to The First Pentecostal Holiness Church at 1100 The First Church Road, and checks should be made out to "The Duncan Family" for fire recovery.
"We'll set up a separate bank account and take donations for them," Whaley said.
News-Argus Staff Writer John Joyce contributed to this report.