Juan Ortega
The Sun-Sentinel
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Firefighters helped a man in a wheelchair escape a blaze at an apartment complex Monday morning that displaced 12 people and killed a pit bull, a fire official said.
The black dog, Stacey, died from smoke inhalation after the fire broke out about 9:30 a.m. at the apartment complex at 851 SW 10th St., said Sandra King, a Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue spokeswoman.
The fire prompted residents to evacuate. Firefighters arrived soon after and, as they fought the blaze, they also evacuated residents in an adjacent building at risk of catching fire.
Firefighters found a 24-year-old man who uses a wheelchair and were able to carry him to safety, treating him at the scene for smoke inhalation, King said.
At least one apartment in the burned complex was destroyed. Firefighters found the dead dog in Apartment 1. Fire inspectors are evaluating the condition of the other units and investigating what caused the fire.
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