News

Actions

Houseful of pets rescued in Grand Rapids fire

Posted at 4:33 PM, Dec 03, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-03 23:27:53-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Fire damaged a home in northeast Grand Rapids Wednesday afternoon, but firefighters were able to save some animals from the heavy smoke.

The fire was reported at about 1:30 p.m. in the 2900 block of Coit Avenue.

A dog and a kitten were pulled from the home and given oxygen by emergency responders.  Ben Williams, the homeowner, works at a local pet hospital and rushed the animals there to be treated.

"I was up at work and our neighbors called us and I just got down here right away, and they had my dog and one of the kittens out here and they were giving them oxygen and helping them out because they were in pretty rough shape," Williams said.

A turtle and another kitten died in the fire.

Officials say the fire likely started in a turtle aquarium, and the home sustained smoke damage.