Vets and nurses battle to save eight dogs after horror house fire

A team of Lincolnshire[1] vets faced a gruelling 10-hour fight to save eight dogs[2] who were caught in a property fire. Four fire crews attended the blaze at Milestone Lane, Pinchbeck[3], on March 2 which resulted in severe damage by fire to the kitchen and 50 per cent of a domestic property. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters pulled the dogs from the property before police put in an urgent call to South Lincs Vets at around 4.30am.

A night vet rushed to the scene to see to the eight Labradors, and the seven worst-affected were taken back to the South Lincs veterinary hospital in Sutterton. Sadly, the two with the most severe burns and lung damage had to be put to sleep. The other five were brought back from the brink of death and, with the permission of the owner, safely transferred to the care of an animal charity.

Poll - Are you worried about the RAF asylum seekers plans?[4] Emergency vet Nina Blackmore recalled what she says was "the worst shift of my life". She said: "Most of the seven dogs, who were all adults, were able to walk in but they had severe injuries and they deteriorated rapidly.

"With smoke inhalation, the carbon monoxide binds to the red blood cells and stops oxygen being delivered properly. The burns and swelling on the airways of the ones that were worst affected were causing real problems.

"We were trying to get as much oxygen in as we could, while delivering high doses of pain relief. The hardest bit was losing the two dogs, but at one stage I thought we might lose at least a couple more.

"I honestly wondered how it was going to end and how many would be left. But every one of the team was amazing, with our nurses looking after the critical ones and noticing every change. "After 10 hours we were finally able to get the last patient stable and off the table and I'm so happy we were able to save the five dogs.

It was all very emotional and quite traumatic." The fire was later confirmed to be started by a faulty tumble dryer. After further treatment, the dogs were taken in by local charity Albies Friends and a GoFundMe page[5] was set up to help towards their care and re-homing.

Kirton Fire Station released a statement describing the fire as "harrowing" and offered a GBP550 donation towards the dogs' care.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said the crews used breathing apparatus, two hose reels, a thermal imaging camera and small tools to extinguish the fire.

References

1. ^ Lincolnshire (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ dogs (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Pinchbeck (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
4. ^ Poll - Are you worried about the RAF asylum seekers plans? (xd.wayin.com)
5. ^ GoFundMe page (gofund.me)