HERO CENTRAL: Kent County teen saves neighbors dogs from fire

COURTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich (WZZM) - A 16-year old Kent County boy is being credited for saving two of his neighbors pets from their burning home.

It happened on Ramsdell Drive in Courtland Township this past weekend. The neighbors were the first to spot the fire.

16-year old Lance Johnson says, "I turned toward the house and saw the fire. My first thought was my goodness, the dogs." Johnson ran to the home and got one of the dogs out. By then, another neighbor joined-in and got the other one out.

Homeowner, Joanne Line says the family had gone to Sand Lake for the day. "Yeah our dogs were left home while we went up there and when the neighbors came and they saw it was in flames they got the little one out. The other one was blind and is 11-years-old and they had to do a lot to find her because she couldn't have seen where she was going and she was obviously scared," she said. "But, they got them out. Yep, them are our babies."

While, thankful for her dogs safety, Line couldn't help get emotional gazing at her burning home and realizing what she'd lost. She said she felt especially sad for her daughter, who also lives there and is 8 months pregnant. She lost everything she has bought for the baby and even ultrasound pictures.

"I am numb. That's all I can say is I'm numb. I don't know what to think I don't even know where to go from here," she said.

Crews from 4 different departments worked feverishly to try and contain the fire. The signs of exhaustion were clearly visible on fire fighters faces as they paused for water breaks. Several of them took brief sips from a plastic bottle, then pouring the rest over their heads to cool off.

"Yeah we need a lot of help. Yeah you need a lot of help on something like this. You know with heat and that is why the ambulances are here getting their blood pressure and their pulses before they go back again. But we are fighting it mostly from the outside," said. Davis.

Despite their efforts, crews weren't able to keep the fire from totaling claiming the house with the exception of a the family added onto the home.

Line said they have no choice but to start over and hopes the small amount of insurance they have will help out.