Durham firefighters rescue person and 2 dogs in house fire. What we know about cause
Durham firefighters drew praise online for their work rescuing a person and two dogs from a burning home in northeast Durham on Monday morning.
Crews responded shortly after 11:30 a.m. to a fire near the intersection of Hugo and Cascadilla streets, according to the Durham Fire Department. Heavy smoke and flames were pouring from the home’s attic when firefighters arrived.
Firefighters pulled one person, who has not been identified, through a first-floor window along with two dogs. The person was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Both dogs were alert, though one of them, a Labrador mix named Lexie, required a breathing treatment.
A video shared on the department’s Facebook page shows Lexie calmly sitting as firefighters fit her with an oxygen mask. A spokesperson said most fire trucks have special tools to help animals rescued from fires.
On Wednesday, the Fire Department shared that the crew of Ladder 3, housed at 822 North Miami Blvd, would be keeping Lexie as a foster until she gets a permanent home.
“She is not back to her old self,” the department said in a Facebook post, “and seems to be taking a particular lining to Captain (Keith) Whitfield and his family.”
The rescue video has drawn more than 1,000 reactions online, including from Cheryl Messer, the mother of the person who was rescued.
“I would love to thank every one of y’all that was at this house yesterday for my daughter,” Messer wrote in the comments. “You saved her, and you have saved our dogs. Thank you, and I cannot thank you enough.”
Messer said her daughter remains in critical condition on life support. The News & Observer contacted her for more information on how people can help the family.
Fire officials said the blaze was accidental, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 6:30 AM.