MAIDEN, N.C. — Firefighters responded to a house fire at a home on north First Avenue in Maiden Monday.
The family of five was not home at the time of the fire.
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Out back neighbors and friends helped gather the family's animals including two pigs, ducks, roosters and a dog.
All of them safe after an animal control officer spotted the smoke and called for help. After making sure no one was inside, he rescued the family's dog off the front porch and moved the other animals safely away from the home.
"I feel like it is heroic. He did more than he had to do. Very pleased very proud that there was none he had to rescue. Glad he rescued the animals," Lt. Jamie Fletcher said.
One volunteer firefighter was transported from the scene by paramedics. Police said he is a truck operator with Maiden fire who had medical issues.
Less than a hundred yards away, friends like Diane Beman tried to comfort the family of five.
"They didn't lose the most important thing they have and that's their children. Nothing else rely matters in my opinion. She has friends sitting by her. She has her children still. That's all that counts," Beman said.
As many as five departments in Catawba County helped bring the large fire under control.
Everyone is thankful the family with three children was not hurt.
"Look at this. Look who is sitting with her. That's what you need, that's it, " Beman said.
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