One Chihuahua rescued, other perishes in Muskegon Township house fire

The rescue of William Goodman's Chihuahua was a bright moment in a bleak afternoon for the longtime Muskegon Township resident whose home of 18 years was significantly damaged by fire on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Sadly, a second Chihuahua belonging to Goodman perished in the blaze, found deceased by firefighters under a couch in the home, according to Muskegon Township Fire Chief David Glotzbach.

The fast-moving fire in the 1100 block of Shonat Street was reported around noon and smoke from the roof could be seen from quite a distance. The road was temporarily blocked off to traffic from Apple Avenue.
The fire started in a dryer inside the upstairs bathroom/laundry room area, Glotzbach said. Goodman's girlfriend, the homeowner, was not at the home when the fire started. The home is insured.
Goodman, who said he wears prosthetics because he has both legs amputated, was assisted out of the home by Glotzbach who was just a minute away from the home at Muskegon Township Hall when the fire was reported.

The chief managed to help Goodman out the door to safety as a fireball in the home raged on.
Goodman said he was sitting in his chair on an upper level of the living room area of the home when he smelled smoke shortly before noon.
"It was getting thicker and thicker," he said of the smoke. "I was calling and calling for the puppies."
Goodman said he was concerned about the condition of his tiny dogs, Buttercup and Annabelle.
Initially it was thought that both dogs perished in the smoke-filled home, but around 1 p.m. the black and white dog was discovered alive under a bed and rescued by a firefighter.

Glotzbach said the pup was found by Muskegon Township Fire Department Lt. Brad Walters. Firefighters put a small oxygen mask on the rescued dog at the scene, and then Glotzbach took the dog to a local veterinarian for treatment. The dog is expected to survive.
"She was hiding under the bed, tucked way back in the corner," Glotzbach said. "I was really surprised to find her, but her size is probably what saved her. She was able to get underneath the bed and up against the wall where the least amount of smoke exists."



The home, with smoke pouring out of the roof and eaves, brought several neighbors into the street to watch firefighters from Muskegon Township Fire Department, Muskegon Fire Department, Fruitport Township Fire Department battle the house fire. Egelston Township Fire Department officials staffed a Muskegon Township fire station in the meantime.

"It went up so quick!," said Lisa Patterson, who lives adjacent to Goodman's home.
Canteen 450 and Pro Med were at the scene, along with Muskegon Township Police Department officers. Dalton Township Fire Chief Alan Styles was also on scene.
The investigation into the cause of the fire continued late Thursday afternoon. Glotzbach said the home has had at least three additions built on over the years and that made it difficult for firefighters.
Red Cross is assisting Goodman and his girlfriend with temporary shelter

Heather Lynn Peters covers police and fire, and writes a statewide food column, The Spunky Kitchen,  for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at hpeters@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @HLPNEWS.