East Village dog rescued from apartment fire fighting to recover

A 75-year-old man died after a fire inside an apartment in the East Village on Sunday, but his beloved dog, Bella, survived thanks to firefighters. 

Now, the community is trying to raise funds for her veterinary treatment after she suffered significant smoke inhalation thanks to the fire.

What we know:

The fire broke out on the second floor of a six-story apartment building on Second Avenue at East Fourth Street around 10:22 a.m., according to the FDNY. 

The fire burned for several hours, and firefighters were unable to save the 75-year-old resident but did rescue his small dog, Bella.

Bella was found inside the apartment, soaked and suffering from severe smoke inhalation. Footage from the scene shows a firefighter carrying her to safety before placing her in a crew car for medical attention.

"She was wet, she smelt like smoke, she was clearly traumatized. She was shaking," said Dean Mann Bella's new temporary caretaker. 

Bella was taken to an emergency vet clinic in Chelsea, where doctors informed Mann, that she would need extensive hospital treatment to recover.

"They informed me the dog was in really bad shape and A.) it was lucky to be alive, and B.) it would need some pretty extensive hospital time," Mann explained.

However, thanks to the work of doctors, Mann and his own dog, Tippy, Bella is making strides towards recovery, and Mann says he is warming up to the idea of adopting Bella for good.

"She’s more than welcome in my household, and she’ll keep Tippy company, and I’d be happy to have her. She’s a really sweet dog," Mann told FOX 5.

However, it’s unclear how long it’ll take for her to get her strength back and get released from the hospital.

Now, Mann and others in the neighborhood are asking for help paying for her medical expensives, which already have reached $6,000 a day. 

Anyone looking to support Bella's recovery can visit this link.

The Source: This article was written using information from the New York Post and FOX 5 reporters and crews in the field. 



 


 

Pets and AnimalsEast Village