Two dogs die in house fire

A fire heavily damaged a residence on one side of a duplex at 1040 E. 4th North St. Monday, and two of the family's dogs died in the blaze.

The cause of the fire, which occurred at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ortega, has not been immediately determined and remains under investigation.

Fire Chief Phil Gridley said the couple's young adult son had gone shopping and when he returned half an hour later he found flames coming from the front of the house. Fire crews arrived shortly afterwards to find the bedroom and living room fully involved in flame and the residence in a near flash-over condition, but crews were quickly able to bring the fire under control and put it out.

The Ortega's son had to be restrained from tying to enter the home to save the family dogs, who were found afterwards to have died from the heat and smoke inhalation.

Because of garages between the two residences in the duplex the second residence was not threatened by the fire in the Ortega residence.

Gridley estimated damage at approximately $50,000.

Crews were called to the scene again early Tuesday morning, responding to a report of smoke coming from the residence.

The fire department provided money from its burnout fund for the family and the Red Cross also assisted with temporary housing.

A fund has been set up to assist the Ortega family, who lost all of their possessions in the fire. Donations can be made to the Joe and Juanita Ortega Benefit Fund at Washington Mutrual Bank.