Would you risk it?

[chattiesmom]

We DID have a fire and we did rescue all 8 adult Yorkies, 2 litters of pups and our elderly boxer. Although the fire was contained to the back porch the house was filled with toxic smoke. My son lit a bbq grill which was on the back porch, the gas tank was defective and the tank actually caught on fire. We are very lucky that it didn't explode -- but the heat was so intense that the whole porch was destroyed, windows melted, even blinds on the inside of the house melted. We sustained over $100,000 in damage when it was all said and done.

[Patti]

I think my instincts would take over and I would run in and get them. If I was at home at the time, my girls are always with me so I would grab all 3. We do have it worked out that in an emergency, my husband grabs Pixie, my dtr Cali and I get Roxie out if we are all home. I can't imagine watching them go that way.

[dogbert]

Our Yorkie is a rescue and hubby installed another smoke detector last winter and when he tested it our dog freaked out big time, ran and hid. It took awhile to find her and get her to come out. The next time he tested it I took her into a room, stayed with her and shut the door so it wouldn't be so loud for her.

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by dogbert

Our Yorkie is a rescue and hubby installed another smoke detector last winter and when he tested it our dog freaked out big time, ran and hid. It took awhile to find her and get her to come out. The next time he tested it I took her into a room, stayed with her and shut the door so it wouldn't be so loud for her.

Good point. We havn't tested our fire alarm since having Tia! Thats since last October

Guess what Im doing tonight before bed

[mscat]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

We DID have a fire and we did rescue all 8 adult Yorkies, 2 litters of pups and our elderly boxer. Although the fire was contained to the back porch the house was filled with toxic smoke. My son lit a bbq grill which was on the back porch, the gas tank was defective and the tank actually caught on fire. We are very lucky that it didn't explode -- but the heat was so intense that the whole porch was destroyed, windows melted, even blinds on the inside of the house melted. We sustained over $100,000 in damage when it was all said and done.

I am so happy you were able to get all of your dogs safely, and your family was not hurt! how scary abd devastating that must have been !

Right back in my apartments , and a few feet from where I am this is our back yard. A dried up field .We live upstairs. One 4rth of July Yr it did catch on fire. It was very windy that day, some kids threw fireworks over the fence and the fire spread so fast, I thought it was going to get our place> My son and I were already outside, all we could do was watch. The firemen were pounding on everybody's door to get out. The smoke was horrid. It was before I had my 2 dogs.
I have very severe burn scars on me > I have been through skin graphs and all that, but it is the smoke that usually gets people and animals. YES, I would in a heartbeat never leaave my animals behind! However, I would hopefully not have to be placed in the position to have to run in a burning building after them to get them! I'd have them beforehand !!!! There my babies , so I'd take them too, My son would help me. My Suzi is afraid of the fire alarm , she always runs on my bed, I know where to find her. The puppy follows her. We will grab both of them! NEver ever leave them behind in the first place !

[salazark]

I guess I found out what I would do last weekend. We were staying at a really nice hotel over the fourth. We were sitting by the pool on the night of the fourth when we saw people pointing up to a room that looked like it was on fire. The whole balcony looked like it was on fire. Sadie was in our room napping in her playpen. My husband and I both took off running as fast as we could. He beat me to the room and got her out. I was so afraid someone was going to try to stop me. I talked to the hotel staff afterwards and they said that it was some kind of candle glowing and there wasn't a fire. I think they had fireworks or a flare or something because it really looked like a fire. They told me I did the right thing because if they had evacuated they would not have let me in. I told them I didn't think they could have stopped me. I brought her down to the pool for a little while - I just had to hold her for a bit. They didn't stop me. The next day every staff member I saw asked me how my cute little dog was.

[salazark]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

We DID have a fire and we did rescue all 8 adult Yorkies, 2 litters of pups and our elderly boxer. Although the fire was contained to the back porch the house was filled with toxic smoke. My son lit a bbq grill which was on the back porch, the gas tank was defective and the tank actually caught on fire. We are very lucky that it didn't explode -- but the heat was so intense that the whole porch was destroyed, windows melted, even blinds on the inside of the house melted. We sustained over $100,000 in damage when it was all said and done.

Oh my gosh - that must have been so frightening. Our house burned when I was a little girl and I will never forget it. We all got out but thankfully at the time we had no pets. I don't think I could leave without them.

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by salazark

I guess I found out what I would do last weekend. We were staying at a really nice hotel over the fourth. We were sitting by the pool on the night of the fourth when we saw people pointing up to a room that looked like it was on fire. The whole balcony looked like it was on fire. Sadie was in our room napping in her playpen. My husband and I both took off running as fast as we could. He beat me to the room and got her out. I was so afraid someone was going to try to stop me. I talked to the hotel staff afterwards and they said that it was some kind of candle glowing and there wasn't a fire. I think they had fireworks or a flare or something because it really looked like a fire. They told me I did the right thing because if they had evacuated they would not have let me in. I told them I didn't think they could have stopped me. I brought her down to the pool for a little while - I just had to hold her for a bit. They didn't stop me. The next day every staff member I saw asked me how my cute little dog was.

That is scary .. Its different when you check your own house is safe at night but yes what if there are careless people in hotels . Good point.

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

We DID have a fire and we did rescue all 8 adult Yorkies, 2 litters of pups and our elderly boxer. Although the fire was contained to the back porch the house was filled with toxic smoke. My son lit a bbq grill which was on the back porch, the gas tank was defective and the tank actually caught on fire. We are very lucky that it didn't explode -- but the heat was so intense that the whole porch was destroyed, windows melted, even blinds on the inside of the house melted. We sustained over $100,000 in damage when it was all said and done.

Just to say , so glad all your babies came out safely. That must have took some doing , I should imagine they were frightened.

[Yorkie4luv]

I wouldn't leave without my babies either, but in the case I was unconcious myself I have a sign out side the front door letting the fire dept. know that I have two small dogs inside the house.

If the fire alarm goes off in my house my dog stands underneath it and barks, so I guess I will be able to find him. Sophie is never far from my side.

[cynsir]

I have three 'kids', a cocker spaniel, a yorkie, and a maltese. I would NEVER leave my babies in case of fire. I would go back into the house to rescue each and every one of them since they are my kids. I've pushed the fire alert button on my fire alarms and both the yorkie and cocker spaniel run to me, I've only had the maltese for a few days so I don't know what she would do. I guess I need to test it again.

[AprilLove]

I would most definetly go in after them.

[coolbar]

I spent a few years in the Royal Navy and all the crew are trained in firefighting, as was stated in the newspaper article earlier, get your nose on the floor as there is normally an inch or so of breathable air below the smoke, always have an evacuation plan.

In my career as an electrician I have also been to burnt out houses three of which the fire started from a television on standby, always turn your machines off at the mains when not in use, do not use the standby button on your remote, your fire department can confirm this to you.

In the UK you can get free smoke alarms the brigade will fit them and visit and advise you of what to do and how to look after your house, it's a free visit just call them and you girls love those guys in uniform don't you, what are you waiting for.

Oh and by the way, if you have mains alarms it is recommended to replace them every 10 years.

[manolos mom]

So sad. Yes I would make sure all of us are gathered together and then run out. Whenever the tornado sirens go off I take all the dogs my husband and our daughter in the closet with blankets over our heads.

[rebecca127]

I havent posted in a while but I had to give a response to this as this happened to me in April and if it wasnt for my baby Abby I have no idea what would have happened...

I was getting ready to go to work and all of a sudden I head an explosion that shook my apt. I didnt think anything of it because I had 2 crazy ppl living downstairs from me ... Yes they were drug addicts and i thought they were just having an argument. About 1 min later my baby was going insane and ballistic and barking like I have never heard her bark before. I was confused and telling her to be quiet because it was still early in the morning and living in NYC you cant be too loud... Well she was running all over the house as if alerting to my family that something was going on (BTW no one was home it was just me her and my mothers bird). And she kept sniffing under my apt door. and I was like ok let me go check. I looked thru the peep hole and it was all black and I was like ok the light bulb went off... When my baby noticed I didnt do anything she went hysterical barking again and running back and forth... Mind you I didnt hear , smell or see anything that would set me off... So finally I opened my front door and O M G all there was was black and orange smoke EVERYWHERE AND I COULDNT SEE IN MY OWN HALLWAY!!!! I closed my door and ran for my dog, her collar and a lil jacket that I had all within in arms reach and RAN FOR MY LIFE CLUTCHING HER IN MY ARMS... I SWEAR IT BROKE MY HEART THAT I COULD NOT TAKE MY MOMS BORD BUT I COULD NOT CARRY THE CAGE WITH ME... THE MOMENT I LEFT MY APT I SWEAR WE BOTH COULD NOT BREATHE!! I was suffocating and I could feel my dog grasping for air and her little chest was just tight ( she is only 4 pounds). As I got outside.. I finally noticed that the fire was directly under my apartment and it was ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS REACHING TO MY APARTMENT... I swear to you I was in complete hysterics and my dog was shaking like crazy...

The whole apt under was engulfed in fire and the flames were coming out of the window... But I THANK GOD MY APT HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE AND MY BIRD WAS ALIVE!!!!!!

But please please please keep your dogs collar, leash, harness or clothing if winter) within arms length. Go to the ASPCA'S website and request the free sticker you place on your window or front door that states how many animals you have in your apartment or house in case of emergencies and please in my experience I will NEVER ever crate a dog because of situations like this...

I am sorry this was long but I had to share my experience...

I will attach a pic of what my apt looked like after the fire...