A Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office animal control officer, quick-thinking neighbors, and Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority crews saved an 80-year-old Paulden resident and kept a house fire from spreading to nearby homes Friday afternoon.
At around 12:45 p.m., the animal control officer arrived first on scene at the structure fire and immediately helped get the homeowner to safety while evacuating residents from adjacent houses. Neighbors jumped in, assisting the resident, rescuing her vehicle, and saving two of her three dogs from the advancing flames.
CAFMA firefighters contained the blaze to the main structure, protecting neighboring properties despite high-risk conditions. The homeowner was taken to a medical center for precautionary evaluation due to smoke exposure.
Initial investigation points to an accidental fire, likely starting near a medical device. One pet dog ran back into the home and remains unaccounted for.