BRAVE passers-by have been thanked after rescuing two pet dogs from a house fire in Tranent.
A fire broke out at a house on the town’s Fa’side Road, and the quick-thinking of neighbours and a postwoman helped save the dogs’ lives.
Caroline Adamson and her partner Damien Bennett were out walking their dogs last Thursday lunchtime, when they saw smoke coming from the house.
Caroline told the Courier: “Damien noticed smoke coming out of the roof, then the neighbour next door to the house came out as she could barely breathe. We asked her if she was OK and if her neighbours were in there. She said she didn’t know but they had two dogs.
“I said to Damien that I couldn’t leave the dogs in there, so I placed my hands on the glass at the front door to test if it was hot.
“I went to test the living room window to see if it was going to be safe enough to smash in, then Damien said to try the door. It was unlocked and the two dogs were just laying there.”
Despite fearing the worst, the couple entered the house and rescued the dogs.
“I thought they were dead,” Caroline said.
“Damien passed one to me and he grabbed the other.
“We moved them out of the garden in case anything exploded, and that’s when the postwoman, Emma Finlayson, asked if we needed a hand.
“She came running up and started to revive one dog, while Damien worked on the other one.
“At that point, the fire brigade arrived.”
A card sent to Caroline and Damien from the family who live in the house affected thanked the couple for saving their dogs, Maya and Begbie.
Gemma McNeill posted a thank you message, including a picture of the card, on social media.
It read: “There is nothing we could ever say or do to repay our debt to you. Two very loved hairy family members are alive because of you. You didn’t know what you would face when you opened that door, and for your bravery, we will be forever thankful.”
Firefighters from Tranent were joined by colleagues from Musselburgh and Newcraighall following a call to Fa’side Road shortly before 1pm last Thursday.
The crews used breathing apparatus and high-pressure hose reels after reports of smoke issuing from the two-storey building.
A fire spokeswoman said the dogs were taken to a local vet by police.