SOUTHINGTON -- A fire that tore through a home in Southington Friday morning took the lives of two pets.
Firefighters were called to the home on Todd Road just before 9 a.m., Friday. The driver of the first engine truck to arrive on the scene, firefighter Anthony Esteves, lived at the home with his parents.
Esteves told FOX61 he was just getting back to the firehouse after responding to another call when he was called out again to his own address.
When they arrived, according to Battalion Chief Glenn Dube, there was fire showing in both floors of the home.
"You can imagine it's pretty difficult to pull up in a fire truck and it's your house on fire," said Dube.
“It didn’t alter how aggressively we attacked the fire, we treat every fire the same, but it did raise the stress level a little bit. We’re in the process of making sure both he and his family are being cared for,” he said.
Meriden firefighters also assisted on the scene, and pulled a dog and cat from the home during a search.
Dube said firefighters did their best to revive the animals on scene before Southington Animal Control Officers took them to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, they were unable to be saved.
Officials said there is extensive damage to both floors of the home. Firefighters also had to cut a hole in the roof for ventilation.
While Esteves and his family were attempting to salvage some belongings from the house Friday afternoon, he told FOX61 he still can't believe this happened.
The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.