NH Press:Franklin man, exotic pet left homeless by fire

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Posted by Desiree on June 07, 2002 at 01:35:00:

http://www.citizen.com/news2002/June/06/fra0606c.htm

John Barbuto, 266 Sanborn St., Franklin, holds his iguana, Frisky. Barbuto rescued the iguana from his burning home Wednesday afternoon, and firefighters administered oxygen to the pet after it was determined to have suffered smoke inhalation. (Citizen Photo/Gordon D. King)

6/6/2002
Franklin man, exotic pet left homeless by fire
By GORDON D. KING
Staff Writer

FRANKLIN � Fire department emergency personnel performed an unusual rescue on Wednesday when they responded to a house fire

An EMT gave oxygen to the homeowner�s pet iguana after it suffered from smoke inhalation.

John Barbuto, 266 Sanborn St. said he was vacuuming his car when he noticed smoke pouring out of the ranch-style home.

He said he ran to several homes across the street from his home trying to locate someone who could call the fire department. He finally got the attention of off-duty Firefighter Jean Pevine who made the call about the same time someone pulled a box alarm at a nearby intersection, Franklin Fire Department Acting Capt. Bob Goodearl said.

Goodearl said the fire started in the kitchen where the homeowner had put a pan of water on the stove.

Deputy Fire Chief Randy Hinds said the aluminum pan melted and caught fire. The fire spread to the kitchen cabinets and quickly throughout the entire kitchen.

Goodearl said he called for a working alarm which brought off-duty firefighters to the scene. Tilton-Northfield provided a cover truck at the fire station.

The fire was reported at 4:55 p.m. It took firefighters a few minutes to get to the scene and about 10 minutes to bring the fire under control, but the home was already extensively damaged.

Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours cleaning up debris and securing the house.

Hinds said the fire destroyed the kitchen and the rest of the home received extensive smoke and heat damage.

"The air conditioner was on and the house was closed up tight. The heat was very intense," Deputy Hinds said.

The deputy said computer equipment, a television and other items made of plastic in a room an estimated 15 to 25 feet away from the kitchen melted from the intense heat.

He estimated damages to the home and replacing the lost contents could reach $100,000.

Barbuto said his 12-year-old pet iguana, Frisky, was in a cage in the ell between the kitchen and garage.

"I ran in and grabbed her. When the firemen got here, they gave her oxygen," Barbuto said.

A few moments later the iguana bit him on the left hand. EMTs treated Barbuto at the scene then took him to Franklin Regional Hospital for further treatment after he complained of feeling the effects of smoke inhalation.

Nicy Ladd of the Concord Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to provide emergency assistance to Barbuto. Ladd said she isn�t certain what to do about the iguana because she has never had this type of request before.

Franklin man, exotic pet left homeless by fire

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: http://www.citizen.com/news2002/June/06/fra0606c.htm : <IMG SRC="http://www.citizen.com/news2002/June/06/606Fire.jpg">John Barbuto, 266 Sanborn St., Franklin, holds his iguana, Frisky. Barbuto rescued the iguana from his burning home Wednesday afternoon, and firefighters administered oxygen to the pet after it was determined to have suffered smoke inhalation. (Citizen Photo/Gordon D. King) : 6/6/2002 : Franklin man, exotic pet left homeless by fire : By GORDON D. KING : Staff Writer : FRANKLIN � Fire department emergency personnel performed an unusual rescue on Wednesday when they responded to a house fire : An EMT gave oxygen to the homeowner�s pet iguana after it suffered from smoke inhalation. : John Barbuto, 266 Sanborn St. said he was vacuuming his car when he noticed smoke pouring out of the ranch-style home. : He said he ran to several homes across the street from his home trying to locate someone who could call the fire department. He finally got the attention of off-duty Firefighter Jean Pevine who made the call about the same time someone pulled a box alarm at a nearby intersection, Franklin Fire Department Acting Capt. Bob Goodearl said. : Goodearl said the fire started in the kitchen where the homeowner had put a pan of water on the stove. : Deputy Fire Chief Randy Hinds said the aluminum pan melted and caught fire. The fire spread to the kitchen cabinets and quickly throughout the entire kitchen. : Goodearl said he called for a working alarm which brought off-duty firefighters to the scene. Tilton-Northfield provided a cover truck at the fire station. : The fire was reported at 4:55 p.m. It took firefighters a few minutes to get to the scene and about 10 minutes to bring the fire under control, but the home was already extensively damaged. : Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours cleaning up debris and securing the house. : Hinds said the fire destroyed the kitchen and the rest of the home received extensive smoke and heat damage. : "The air conditioner was on and the house was closed up tight. The heat was very intense," Deputy Hinds said. : The deputy said computer equipment, a television and other items made of plastic in a room an estimated 15 to 25 feet away from the kitchen melted from the intense heat. : He estimated damages to the home and replacing the lost contents could reach $100,000. : Barbuto said his 12-year-old pet iguana, Frisky, was in a cage in the ell between the kitchen and garage. : "I ran in and grabbed her. When the firemen got here, they gave her oxygen," Barbuto said. : A few moments later the iguana bit him on the left hand. EMTs treated Barbuto at the scene then took him to Franklin Regional Hospital for further treatment after he complained of feeling the effects of smoke inhalation. : Nicy Ladd of the Concord Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to provide emergency assistance to Barbuto. Ladd said she isn�t certain what to do about the iguana because she has never had this type of request before. :

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