Biloxi firefighters saved four lives Monday — four caged puppies that were discovered nearly lifeless inside a burning house in east Biloxi.
Firefighters found flames and smoke when they responded to the house fire on Crawford Street at 5:30 p.m. Monday.
During a primary search of the wood-frame home, Capt. Otto Vuyovich heard what sounded like whining puppies.
“We were venting the structure for smoke and I heard the puppies,” Vuyovich said. “I immediately pulled out the cage and one was moving while the other three seemed to be passed out.”
Firefighter James Landry began caring for the four young pups.
“When I opened the cage, one pup actually walked out and another soon followed,” Landry said. “But two were visibly in distress.”
And that’s when lifesaving training, normally for humans, was put into effect on the young canines.
Landry and Biloxi Police Officer Bryan Wallace administered oxygen to the two pups for about 15 minutes before they regained consciousness and begin breathing on their own.
Nineteen firefighters responded to the blaze, which was brought under control in 10 to 15 minutes. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported, and the department is investigating the cause of the fire.
The pups, meantime, may be headed to the Harrison County Humane Society.
See the puppies at the fire scene
Employees cited for years of service
Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich this afternoon recognized a host of city employees for their years of service to the city.
Those presented service pins during the City Council meeting this afternoon were:
35 years of service: Alcus Stockstill, Public Works Department
25 years of service: Andrew Balius, Community Development Department; and Nicholas Sonnier, Police Department
20 years of service: Michael Brumley and Louis Moran, Police Department; and Carlton Reed, Public Works Department
15 years of service: Michelle Wescovich, Council Department; John Salisbury, Engineering Department; Derrick Gates, Kasey Kleinman, Edgar Morales, Stephen Reed, Christopher Thibodeaux, and Otto Vuyovich, Fire Department; and Brenda Beaver, Legal Department; April Copeland, Brian Dykes, Karen Ibele, and Scott Radovich, Police Department; and David Handler, Public Works Department
10 years of service: Laurie Rosetti, Administration; Jeffrey Taranto, Community Development; James Parker and Candice Woods, Police Department; and Norman Fowler, James Keenum, Christopher Peterson, Public Works Department
5 years of service: Alvin Baker, Administration (Port).
See images from the council meeting
