HEBRON — Multiple dogs are alive following a house fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon. Porter County police were called to 535 South and 500 West on report of a fire, shortly after 4 p.m.

Two Porter County Sheriff’s Deputies, two Hebron Police Officers and the Hebron Fire Chief were first to arrive at the house fire.

Porter County Police Department member, and Boone Grove Fire Department volunteer, Trooper Justin Hansen, arrived shortly thereafter. Hansen arrived to find thick black smoke coming from the garage. No fire engines were there yet.

The 1st responders went inside the burning home to find there were 7 dogs inside. They were able to get all of dogs out of the house, two of which were pregnant. All the animals were unresponsive as a result of smoke inhalation.

The 1st responders began C.P.R. on the canines; providing oxygen in an attempt to revive them. Some of the officers and neighbors were able to open the dog’s airway and blow air into their lungs.

When E.M.S. arrived on scene, 1st responders were then able to use “pet masks” in order to better provide oxygen into the canines. The dogs were transported by police in their patrol cars to local animal hospitals for treatment.

The worst of the dogs was taken to an animal hospital in Valparaiso by Trooper Hansen. As he drove his police car, Kouts Fireman Mike Luzack administered C.P.R. in the back seat to the injured canine.

All of the dogs survived the incident. The dogs are all Labradors and the owner is a local breeder.

Boone Grove Fire Chief Mike Meinert stated that this is only the 3rd time in 10 years that the pet masks had been used. He said the pet masks were donated by a caring citizen.

Chief Meinert added, the fire may have been caused by a heat lamp that was in the garage. He said did not appear to be suspicious in nature.

The homeowners were not home at the time of the incident. None of the 1st responders were injured.

Source: WANE