Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Dog rescued from fire at north Fayette home By JOHN MUNFORD jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com Fayette County firefighters rescued a Boston terrier from a Monday morning fire that caused extensive damage to a north Fayette home. No one was home when the blaze at 110 Gentle Doe Drive around 9 a.m., said Deputy Chief Tom Bartlett of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The house had fire damage to the first and second floors in addition to the attic, Bartlett said. Investigators determined a lit candle in a bathroom of the residence started the fire, said Capt. Pete Nelms of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services. It took four minutes for the first fire engine to respond to the scene, Bartlett said. In all, four fire engines responded — one coming from the city of Fayetteville — with the county’s manpower squad, a rescue truck and volunteer personnel. Homeowner Daniel Santoyo said he was grateful his dog, Eleanor, was saved by the firefighters, who gave her oxygen. Eleanor was alert and playful in the bed of a pickup as firefighters combed the home for any lingering hot spots. “My dog’s okay, I’m okay,” Santoyo said. “Nothing in there isn’t replaceable.” Santoyo, a dentist, had just gone to work at Dental One Associates in Fayetteville when he got a phone call to return home because of the fire. Three firefighters received minor injuries while on scene and were taken for treatment, Nelms said.