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Woman and dog rescued from WVC apartment fire

Posted at 8:04 AM, Mar 22, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-22 19:59:47-04

WEST VALLEY CITY -- A woman and a dog were rescued out of an apartment fire in West Valley City early Saturday morning.

At approximately 11:48 p.m. Friday, crews responded to Hidden Pointe Apartments, 3854 W. Rockwood Way, on a report of an apartment fire with people trapped.

When firefighters arrived on scene they saw a lot of smoke, some flames and a woman leaning out of a window gasping for air.

The fire started in the living room of a second-story apartment occupied by the woman and her small dog, said Chris Beichner, battalion chief for West Valley City Fire. Crews used a ladder to get the victim out.

The woman was rescued within two minutes after the firefighters' arrival.

The woman was sent to an area hospital for smoke inhalation and burns to her hands.

The victim’s dog was found unconscious during a search of her residence. Firefighters treated it on scene.

The woman was released from the hospital and has since been reunited with her dog, Beichner said.

Beichner said a man attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. He was treated and released on scene.

Eighty percent of the eight-unit apartment complex was burned, Beichner said. Four families were displaced.

The Utah Red Cross did come out to assist.

Twenty-five firefighters responded to the blaze, which was out within 10 minutes.

The fire is still under investigation.