Man rescues pet from burning home in Southeast Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man rushed to rescue his neighbor's pets who were trapped inside a house fire in southeast Fresno Saturday.

That neighbor says he did all that he could to save both of his neighbors' pets but the flames were so intense he was only able to rescue one.

That fire happened along Townsend and South Armstrong Avenues. It broke out a little bit after 2 p.m. Fresno firefighters sped down the neighborhood Saturday where an intense fire consumed a single story home and was threatening others.

Jeff Walsh lives next door. He says he was getting ready to leave his home when he saw the thick black smoke and flames billowing from the roof.

"I thought Robin, my neighbor, was inside the house," he said. "I ripped the screen door off the security door, kicked in the front door and ran around trying to find Robin. Nobody was there, the smoke got to me, so I found the one dog and then I ran outside."

Walsh says after making it out with the dog, he picked up a garden hose and did what he could to put out the raging fire.

"It was just a natural instinct," he said. "I was just trying to help and soon as the firefighters arrived, we backed off and let those gentlemen do their job."

And those firefighters did just that on a day with triple digit heat. They worked non-stop to get the flames controlled as the relentless sun beamed on them.

Fresno Fire Batallion Chief Tony Escobedo says the extreme temperatures, downed power lines, and solar panels on top of the house presented challenges.

"I'll put my firefighters into work for about 15 to 20 minutes the air bottles about to run out, so I'll bring them out to exchange them with fresh crews," he said.

Escobedo says the fire started in the back of the home and primarily damaged the right side of the structure. Crews were able to recover an urn belonging to the homeowner who recently lost his wife.

Family members did not want to go on camera but say they are thankful firefighters were able to do that. And they are appreciative of the neighbor who risked his life to save their two pets.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.