Castleton fire hurts family dog
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Firefighters respond to a house fire on Route 4A near Castleton Corners on Thursday evening. Cassandra Hotaling / Rutland Herald |
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By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: April 17, 2009
CASTLETON — A 14-year-old springer spaniel was left clinging to life Thursday night after a fire ripped through the Castleton home of Daniel and Frances Rooney.
The couple's canine companion, Alex, was rescued from the Rooneys' double-wide mobile home on Route 4A at about 7 p.m. by firefighters from Castleton and Fair Haven after they arrived at the scene of the blaze.
The home was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke was pouring out from the back, according to Castleton Fire Chief Heath Goyette.
Goyette said Daniel Rooney and his dog were the only occupants of the home when the fire began.
According to Goyette, the fire started in the rear of the home, but the exact cause was undetermined as of Thursday night.
Rooney, 76, escaped unharmed, but the dog suffered severe burns around its face, according to Castleton Police Officer Cheri McDermott.
"Mr. Rooney wanted the oxygen on his dog, not him," McDermott said. "He (the dog) was having trouble breathing."
McDermott took the pet to the Rutland Veterinary Clinic at Castleton Corners and as of Thursday night was being given oxygen and intravenous treatments, according to McDermott.
More than 20 firefighters battled the blaze for about an hour as neighbors, family members and friends huddled around Rooney, who was being given oxygen by first responders as he lay on his front lawn.
Frances Rooney, who said she was at a meeting when the fire broke out, rushed to her husband's side.
Minutes later Rooney, who suffers from a breathing disorder, walked into an ambulance and was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center.
Rooney was in good condition Thursday night, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
The home was left uninhabitable and Frances Rooney said she planned to stay with family in the area.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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