Woman killed trying to save pets from mobile home fire near Minkler
A woman is dead after neighbors say she tried to save her pets from a mobile home fire. But in a tragic twist, it turns out, they were already safely outside.
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has identified the victim as 48-year-old Laura Doud. Fire officials say she died after going back into the burning home -- on Loan Oak Avenue near Piedra Road -- east of Sanger.
"She just lit up every room she ever entered and she loved her pets and she loved her children, she loved her family," said Susan Chappell, Laura's friend and neighbor.
The mobile home was a complete loss. But neighbors say they also lost a friend and family member and are still struggling to deal with that loss.
Daisy (the dog) sat on a picnic table Saturday morning, surveying the damage of her owner's home. Eventually she got closer, carefully walking through the charred rubble inside. Hours before, Daisy's owner, 48-year-old Laura Doud, died in a fire that ripped through their mobile home near Sanger.
Fire officials say Doud originally made it out okay and even called 9-1-1.
"They told her do not go back in the house multiple times and she said that she was worried about her dogs in there. Unfortunately her dogs were already outside... and she apparently didn't know it and unfortunately went in there for no reason," said Benny Woods, Neighbor.
It was hard for neighbor Benny Woods to look at what's left of the house where he actually grew up. He says his wife saw the flames after letting their dogs out. Then he ran outside.
He said he tried to save Doud by breaking windows and calling her name. But it was too late. The house was well-involved when fire crews arrived, who had a hard time searching inside.
In a touching moment of loyalty, Daisy searched inside the home of her owner, not knowing she would never see her again. "I think these two are pretty confused right now. I'm sure they miss their mom."
The animals, including two dogs and a cat, have been taken in by Doud's family. Investigators say the cause of this fire is undetermined.
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