‘Unlike anything they’ve ever seen’: At least a dozen pets die in Pierce County house fire

At least a dozen pets died in a house fire in University Place in Pierce County.

West Pierce Fire and Rescue said the homeowners were away when the fire started at around noon Thursday near Minlow Drive West and 33rd Street West.

“We respond to house fires all the time, and unfortunately, we see pets pass away, but both of our Battalion Chiefs said this was unlike anything they’ve ever seen before,” Emily Tencer with West Pierce Fire and Rescue said. “We had crews battling the fire on one end, and then we had crews on the other end trying to get these animals out.”

Exact cause of death for pets in Pierce County fire has not been determined

Once firefighters were able to get into the house, they found the dogs and cats unresponsive. Smoke inhalation may be the cause of their deaths, but the exact cause has not been determined, according to West Pierce Fire and Rescue.

The homeowners returned to see their house on fire and their family pets being carried out of their home.

“It was very evident that they were very distraught seeing all their animals carried out of the house, and none of them making it out alive,” Tencer said.

Right now, fire investigators said it is not known how the fire started. No people were injured, but for most of us, pets are family too.

“Especially so close to the holidays, I know this hits home really hard for the family,” Tencer said.

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