SALEM, N.H. — A dog rescued from a burning home Monday morning died from smoke inhalation despite first responders’ best efforts, fire officials said.
The dog, a pit bull mix, was found unconscious on the first floor of the split-level home where the fire broke out. EMTs performed CPR for 20 minutes in an attempt to revive the pet.
“A dog was found and we tried to revive it but it was too late,” said fire Chief Craig Lemire.
Salem police and fire departments responded to the single-family home on Budron Avenue around 9 a.m. after a 911 caller reported seeing smoke coming from the windows of the home, Lemire said in a statement.
When crews arrived, they cleared the home, which was unoccupied when the fire started, and found that the basement ceiling had partially collapsed. The bulk of the fire was extinguished and under control by 9:30 a.m.
The single-family home was being rented by a family of five; with two adults and three children, the eldest of which is 19, Lemire said.
The fire appears to have started with the furnace in the basement, and is not considered suspicious, Lemire said. The home is likely a total loss.
The Salem Fire Department was assisted by crews from Methuen, Windham, Derry, Hampstead and Pelham. The American Red Cross is assisting residents with temporary placement.