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Dog Causes Fire in Virginia Firefighter’s Home
DAVE STATTER
WUSA/STATter911
Reprinted with Permission
FRANCONIA, Va. (WUSA) -- Glenn Ross was about to sit down to dinner at Alexandria Fire Department Station 206 Tuesday evening when he heard a familiar address come across the radio. Other Alexandria and Fairfax County stations were dispatched to a report of a house fire at the firefighter's Franconia home.
There were lots of thoughts going through the mind of Glenn Ross, the most important being that he had to get home. Battalion Chief Joe Hoffmaster decided the safest way to get him there was aboard Engine 206.
Discovering that his wife was at not home, Firefighter Ross then thought about his two dogs who spend the day in the kitchen. When he pulled up, Sparky and Brownie were on a neighbor's lawn, unconscious. They were wearing pet oxygen masks and being treated by Fairfax County paramedics. Firefighters found the dogs under a table in the burning kitchen.
The kitchen is gutted and the Ross home has significant smoke and water damage.
Investigators believe the fire started because of a box left on the stove top ignited. What was in that container leaves a big clue into the leading theory of how this blaze began. It was a box of dog biscuits.
Glenn Ross believes that one of the dogs, most likely Sparky, jumped up trying to get the treats and accidentally turned on a burner.
Dr. Katy Nelson at Alexandria Animal Hospital and Veterinary Emergency Service is treating both Brownie and Sparky for smoke inhalation and corneal burns. Dr. Nelson says both dogs are recovering nicely.
Dr. Nelson agrees with Firefighter Ross. In her professional opinion, the fire starter is clearly the always hungry Sparky, a beagle.
Ross says the hero of the day is a five-year-old neighbor who saw smoke coming from the home while playing outside. The boy ran in to get his grandparents who called 9-1-1. The early call apparently meant the difference between life and death for Sparky and Brownie.
Ross says the lesson learned is one that is basic in his business: Never leave anything combustible on or near the stove.
Written by Dave Statter
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com
WUSA/STATter911
Reprinted with Permission
FRANCONIA, Va. (WUSA) -- Glenn Ross was about to sit down to dinner at Alexandria Fire Department Station 206 Tuesday evening when he heard a familiar address come across the radio. Other Alexandria and Fairfax County stations were dispatched to a report of a house fire at the firefighter's Franconia home.
Discovering that his wife was at not home, Firefighter Ross then thought about his two dogs who spend the day in the kitchen. When he pulled up, Sparky and Brownie were on a neighbor's lawn, unconscious. They were wearing pet oxygen masks and being treated by Fairfax County paramedics. Firefighters found the dogs under a table in the burning kitchen.
The kitchen is gutted and the Ross home has significant smoke and water damage.
Investigators believe the fire started because of a box left on the stove top ignited. What was in that container leaves a big clue into the leading theory of how this blaze began. It was a box of dog biscuits.
Glenn Ross believes that one of the dogs, most likely Sparky, jumped up trying to get the treats and accidentally turned on a burner.
Dr. Katy Nelson at Alexandria Animal Hospital and Veterinary Emergency Service is treating both Brownie and Sparky for smoke inhalation and corneal burns. Dr. Nelson says both dogs are recovering nicely.
Dr. Nelson agrees with Firefighter Ross. In her professional opinion, the fire starter is clearly the always hungry Sparky, a beagle.
Ross says the hero of the day is a five-year-old neighbor who saw smoke coming from the home while playing outside. The boy ran in to get his grandparents who called 9-1-1. The early call apparently meant the difference between life and death for Sparky and Brownie.
Ross says the lesson learned is one that is basic in his business: Never leave anything combustible on or near the stove.
Written by Dave Statter
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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What Kali said...
Anyone who leaves combustibles atop a stove is asking for trouble.
A firefighter who does it is asking to be a news headline on FFN.
Objective achieved!
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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I agree, Kali. I thought the same thing when I read how it happened. Not like the pooch knows how to turn on a stove. He's just being a dog and giving in to temptation.
Maybe Glenn should be put in the crate for a while.
Now if the dogs were playing with matches or a lighter, well that's a different story.
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Permalink Reply by Ron Ayotte on
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The firefighter in question has suffered enough... first the embarrasment of leaving something combustible on top of the the stove and having the house catch fire... and probably with his new firehouse nickname.... Milkbone!
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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Schantz on
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Seriously lets not be to hard on them. Ya i agree that leaving the treats on the stove was a bad idea
but how new that a dog could turn a stove on. I think its safe to say he won't do it again.
And at least now one was hurt.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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I couldn't have said it better kali. I hate to criticize a Brother, but if you leave something flammable on top of a flame producing appliance, what do you think is going to happen? I'm just glad everyone is OK, I suppose it could have been worse! Stay safe!
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Permalink Reply by Firewriter on
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Too perfect!!
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With you Kali!! I am truly grateful nobody was injured; sorry Sparky is still having breathing difficulties; and sorry for the damage to the home. Since he is a "suspect", are they going to arrest Sparky when he is released from the animal hospital?!?! Think the firefighter-owner is more likely to be nicknamed, "Bonehead" for this one!!
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