Officers rush into burning garage to save puppies. Then propane tanks began to burst
Some quick-thinking Parlier police officers were able to save two puppies from a burning garage before nearby propane tanks burst, engulfing the garage and another dog, the police department said.
Three officers arrived to the 13700 block of Amigo Street around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday when a female ran out of the home, pleading with officers to help save her three dogs inside the garage in a kennel.
One officer opened the garage door, and another ran inside and pulled the hot kennel out, burning his hand in the process, police said. There were only two puppies inside.
As the first officer tried to get to the third dog, propane tanks began to burst, causing the fire to escalate. In the interest of their safety, they had to retreat.
They then removed the propane tanks from the side of the house so they wouldn’t burst, and began evacuating neighboring homes.
The Fresno County Fire Department arrived soon after and the fire was put out, but the third dog died in the fire, police said.
The puppies were returned to their owners frightened but unharmed.
Ashleigh Panoo: 559-441-6010, @AshleighPan
This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 10:32 PM with the headline "Officers rush into burning garage to save puppies. Then propane tanks began to burst."