Firefighters battled fierce flames and tried everything they could to save more than two dozen dogs that could not escape.
SAN ANTONIO — As firefighters pulled up to Toronto Drive at midday Wednesday, there was no doubt they were in for a fight.
A woman who calls herself Panda was across the street waiting for help to arrive.
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Panda said, adding that she tried to make sure her neighbor wasn’t home, but the heat pushed her away.
The first arriving company reported heavy smoke billowing from the eaves and flames eating the mid-section of a mobile home in far east San Antonio.
Just four minutes later they relayed reports that the house was full of dogs and an all-out assault to save them began.
The incident commander barked “Take your axes until we get some saws here and try to cut that wall to get those dogs out.”
Panda said she was only able to rescue one dog who was in a kennel outside the home.
With fire threatening the structural integrity of the home, the commander told his team “Get in as close as you can. Try to rescue those dogs. Cut the wall. Do whatever you have to do!”
When one firefighter answered back “Chief, we got a report of 26 dogs in here!” the commander again ordered to cut through walls and break windows to see if they could save lives.
He also gave an order to dump as much water on the fire as fast as possible.
“Drown everything! We’ll see if we can save the dogs, just drown the building,” he said.
Panda said she’s calling the one dog they were able to save Lady because she doesn’t know her name.
“She’s fine. She’s on the porch and I’m volunteering to take her to the vet even though she’s not mine. I just want to make sure she’s okay,” Panda said.
As for a cause, the investigation continues but a spokesman said they think it may have been electrical in nature.