Firefighters save dog's life with mouth-to-snout

By Chad Dally
The Wausau Daily Herald

Wausau firefighters try to revive the dog, Koda, as owner Kim Carlson watches. Photo WDH/Dan Young

WAUSAU, Wis. — A Wausau family is thanking firefighters who saved one of their dogs, even as they're putting their lives back together after the Tuesday blaze that might have destroyed their home.

A fire that began at about 4 p.m. Tuesday on the second floor of Todd Borchardt's home in the 200 block of South Sixth Avenue destroyed most of the contents on that floor. The first floor also sustained heavy smoke and water damage, Borchardt's fiancee, Kim Carlson, said Wednesday. Todd Borchardt's 17-year-old son, Dwight Borchardt, also lives in the home and was the only one present when the fire started. Neither he nor three of the family's four animals -- Cooper the border collie and cats Lavender and Mocha -- were harmed.

Wausau Fire Inspector Dave DeSantis estimated damage to the home to be about $25,000 to $30,000, while damage to the family's belongings could also top $25,000. A malfunctioning box fan is believed to be the cause of the fire, DeSantis said.