Robbinsdale Police Sergeant rescues 2 dogs from house fire

ROBINSDALE, Minn. (FOX 9) – Two dogs were saved from a fire in the house in Robbinsdale on Sunday after a homeowner noticed smoke while checking interior cameras.

What we know

The Robbinsdale Police Department said first responders were dispatched to a house fire shortly before 7 p.m. in the 4200 block of York Avenue North. The homeowner noticed smoke while looking at interior cameras and was away at the time of the fire, but said there were two Australian Shepherd dogs inside, the news release said.

The first to arrive at the scene was a sergeant from the police department who observed “dense smoke” in the windows. The homeowner, who spoke with neighbors near the burning home, gave authorities permission to break down the door to rescue the dogs.

After that, the sergeant kicked in the front door, and the two dogs immediately left the burning house. Neighbors then helped place the dogs safely in the backyard.

Firefighters contained the fire to the basement of the home, and authorities said the fire was extinguished before it caused major structural damage.

What they say

“Saving life is a fundamental pillar of law enforcement. It’s not just about human life, it’s about life,” Capt. John Elder of the Robbinsdale Police Department said in a statement. “These officers were not willing to wait for the fire brigade to arrive on the scene to ensure the safety of the animals. It was simply the right and compassionate response to that call.”

What we don’t know

The press release did not say how the fire started or whether the dogs were injured.