3 People Displaced, 70 Dogs Rescued In Martinez Garage Fire

MARTINEZ, CA — One person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and firefighters rescued as many as 70 dogs in a garage fire Tuesday morning in Martinez, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said.

The fire was reported at 11:05 a.m. on Barber Lane and as of 11:51 a.m. it was knocked down, Con Fire reported on Twitter.

Two other residents escaped the fire and were not injured.

All three residents were displaced as were "numerous pets," fire officials said.

The Martinez Police Department, Contra Costa Animal Control "and many helpful neighbors" safely removed as many as 70 dogs and a few cats from the fire.

'Firefighters Started Encountering More And More Dogs'

"When we arrived on scene there was a fully engulfed fire in the garage that was extending to the second floor of the house," Con Fire Spokesperson Steve Hill said. "When we went in the house to attack the fire, firefighters started encountering more and more dogs. Ultimately they carried out dozens and dozens of dogs."

The dogs were mainly Pomeranian and some of them were running in the street, Hill said. Neighbors helped corral the dogs.

"I am not aware of any dogs that were injured," Hill said. "And I did not hear of any dogs succumbing to the fire."

It turned out that the residents of the home were housing the dogs for a breeder, Hill said. The dogs' owner showed up at the scene Tuesday afternoon and plans were made to return the dogs.

As for the fire, an investigation determined it was not suspicious in nature. It was traced to the garage area and was believed to be electrical in nature.

There was extensive smoke and water damage to the home, making it uninhabitable, Hill said.