SHUTESBURY — Firefighters responding to a house fire Sunday night found one of the family’s two dogs alive in the basement after the blaze was under control.
The fire was called in around 7:20 p.m. at 56 Wendell Road. When the Shutesbury Fire Department arrived, the top floor of the house was already in flames, though the home’s occupants — Gregory and Kathryn Steve — were uninjured.
“They were not home at the time, although the husband arrived on scene shortly after the fire was discovered,” Shutesbury Fire Chief Walter Tibbetts said.
Attempts to reach the Steve family were unsuccessful on Monday. Gregory Steve formerly served as a fire captain in the town’s department.
Initial reports stated that the family’s two dogs had died in the blaze, but Tibbetts said Monday that after a third search of the house, firefighters discovered that one of the dogs was alive in the basement. “He was taken to the vet by the family, and reports that I’ve gotten he’s doing rather well,” Tibbetts said.
The other dog died, officials said.
The state fire marshal’s investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, Tibbetts said. He said it originated in the kitchen area, though “not necessarily the kitchen proper.”
A firefighter who was taken to the hospital after suffering from a heat-related condition has recovered, Tibbetts said.
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.