By Kristen Johnson
The News & Observer
DURHAM, N.C. — Durham firefighters drew praise online for their work rescuing a person and two dogs from a burning home in northeast Durham on Monday morning.
Crews responded shortly after 11:30 a.m. to a fire near the intersection of Hugo and Cascadilla streets, according to the Durham Fire Department. Heavy smoke and flames were pouring from the home’s attic when firefighters arrived.
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Firefighters pulled one person, who has not been identified, through a first-floor window along with two dogs. The person was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Both dogs were alert, though one of them, a Labrador mix named Lexie, required a breathing treatment.
A video shared on the department’s Facebook page shows Lexie calmly sitting as firefighters fit her with an oxygen mask. A spokesperson said most fire trucks have special tools to help animals rescued from fires.
The video has drawn more than 1,000 reactions online, including from Cheryl Messer, the mother of the person who was rescued.
“I would love to thank everyone of y’all that was at this house yesterday for my daughter,” Messer wrote in the comments. “You saved her, and you have saved our dogs. Thank you, and I cannot thank you enough.”
Messer said her daughter remains in critical condition on life support and asked for help in caring for Lexie. The News & Observer contacted her for more information on how people can help the family.
Fire officials said the blaze was accidental, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
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