Calif. firefighters rescue dog, another dies

By Lisa Fernandez
The Contra Costa Times

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose firefighters rescued one small chihuahua-mix Tuesday morning from an apartment fire, but discovered another dog dead inside the same unit.

San Jose Fire Capt. Chuck Rangel said the two-alarm fire was reported in the 5000 block of Harlow Way at 7:42 a.m. and was under control about 30 minutes later.

When firefighters got inside the first unit of the fourplex, they discovered one dog alive in the bedroom behind a closed door, Rangel said. They found the dead dog in another room, which had the door open.

Rangel said the fire had started in the kitchen, but no burners had been left on. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the flames, which were mostly confined to the one unit, causing at least $75,000 in damage.

Rangel said firefighters were able to contact the apartment owner, who arrived back home, devastated to find that one of his dogs had died. He said he didn't know how he would break the news to his three children.

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