Dogs Escape, Cat Rescued from Residential Structure Fire

A pair of dogs escaped a burning home and firefighters rescued a cat while extinguishing a blaze that damaged a house Thursday on Las Cruces Avenue.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, May 11, Las Cruces firefighters were dispatched to the fire on the 600 block of east Las Cruces Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the interior and roof of the single-story home.

Fire crews searched the home and deployed multiple water lines to dampen the flames. During the search, firefighters located a domestic cat inside the home and safely removed it. Firefighters learned that two dogs escaped the home before their arrival.

The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes. No injuries were reported.

The fire was determined to be accidental in nature. It caused an estimated $20,000 in damage to the home. The fire resulted in the temporary displacement of the home's occupants and their three pets.