Residents, pets safe and sound after fire

Below, firefighters work to extinguish a fire that broke out in a home at 1028 E. Allison, Nevada, Mo., Friday afternoon, but the residents -- and their pets -- escaped virtually unharmed. Nevada Fire Chief Robert Benn said that when firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was pouring from the attic area, and the fire hadn't extended into the rest of the home. About an hour later, the fire still wasn't fully extinguished. Benn said two ceilings in the home complicated the effort, since the only way to get to the fire in the attic was to go through those ceilings. The residents of the home --none of whom were at home when the blaze broke out -- watched and worried about pets still inside as firefighters continued their work, but their fears were allayed when a firefighter emerged from the home, carrying one of the small dogs. At right, Nevada firefighter Kevin Scott rescues Ladybud, a Chihuahua that had hidden from a fire and firefighters, delivering her a moment later to her owners outside. Firefighters found Ladybud, and a Pomeranian that also had hidden inside, alive and well except for a minor injury to one of the pomeranian's back paws. Three other dogs escaped the home when neighbors, seeing the smoke pouring from the attic area, called for help, then kicked open a door. Resident Krista Purkey comforts Ladybud in the center photo. Purkey, George and Robyn Bragg, and Jess Toom all were glad to be reunited with the dogs, and were grateful none of the residents were hurt. Purkey's son, who also lives in the home was at school at the time of the fire. Firefighters also retrieved some family belongings, such as photos, from the home. A cause of the fire had not been determined at press time Friday.

Nevada firefighter Kevin Scott delivers Ladybud, a chihuahua that had hidden inside the house at 1028 E. Allison on Friday afternoon. Firefighters found the dog and a pomeranian that also had hidden inside, alive and well. Three other dogs escaped the home when neighbors, seeing the smoke pouring from the attic area, called for help, then kicked open the door. Residents George and Robyn Bragg, Krista Purkey and Jess Toom all were glad to be reunited with the dogs. and were grateful both people and pets were unharmed. A boy who lives in the home was at school at the time of the fire. The pomeranian had suffered a minor injury to a back paw, and the residents were not in the home when the fire started. Nevada Fire Chief Robert Benn said that when firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was pouring from the attic area, and the fire hadn't extended into the rest of the home. About an hour later, the fire still wasn't fully extinguished. Benn said two ceilings in the home complicated the effort, since the only way to get to the fire in the attic was to go through those ceilings. A cause of the fire had not be identified at press time Friday.