Assistant Chief Danny Hague said smoke was visible from some distance as fire apparatus made their way down Brainerd Road. The firefighters were able to get the flames out fairly quickly, containing most of the fire damage to the basement and rear of the house. One firefighter was treated on the scene by Hamilton County EMS for what appeared to be heat exhaustion.
The residents of the house, John and Susan Lazenby, got out of the home uninjured. However, they were missing their cat. So Captain Carlos Hampton and Lt. Jenny Parker went back in to search for their pet.
The cat was found behind a toilet in a bathroom and carried out to its owners. The cat was showing signs of respiratory distress, so the firefighters administered oxygen through an animal mask. The cat appeared to be fine when firefighters left the scene.
Chief Hague said the dollar loss was estimated at around $50,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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In the photo (by Asst. Chief Danny Hague): Lt. Tim Waters (center) looks on as Susan Lazenby (right) holds her cat while it's receiving oxygen treatment. The cat initially was combative, but calmed down when it was handed over to Ms. Lazenby. (Note: I do not know if the man on the left is Mr. Lazenby.)
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