May 16, 2005 -- A family dog perished in a fire that ripped through a Long Island home yesterday minutes after the family had left the house, officials said.
Firefighters found the dog dead in the living room of the East Rockaway home.
Neighbors said the dog belonged to visiting in-laws. The family, including the in-laws, left the home 10 minutes before the blaze.
Officials believe the fire began in the kitchen at about 9:40 a.m., and engulfed the house within minutes
"The thing just went poof, and was gone. Just like that," said Edward Zimmerman, 77, a retired paramedic who rushed to the scene to help.
East Rockaway Fire Chief Dan Gilloon said he sympathized with the family over the loss of their dog.
"I just had to put down my dog, so I know how they feel," he said
