Margate became the scene of a furry rescue yesterday when firefighters saved a dog from a fiery ordeal after two homes caught fire. Margate Fire Rescue crews were called to the 6800 block of Northwest Sixth Street around 1 p.m., according to reports from WSVN. The flames were fierce enough to shoot through both roofs, with one of them partially collapsing in the process.
Living at the house where the fire reportedly started, Tivvon Cruickshank was home during the incident and described to WSVN, “It was a loud noise, explosion and I was on my computer.” Cruickshank's primary concern was for his 11-year-old pit bull mix, Raven, whom he couldn't find immediately after the blaze began. Amidst the chaos, filled with heavy black smoke, it was not initially clear where Raven had gone.
Roberto Lorenzo, Margate Fire Chief, reported to MargateTalk that the dog was found hiding by the sliding glass door, camouflaged against the smoke and flames filling the home. Firefighters heard Raven's barks and managed to rescue her.
In a poignant reflection on the ordeal, Cruickshank shared with WSVN his affection for Raven, who he treasured as a member of his family, saying, "We've had her since she was 1 year old; we got her from the pound. I really love that dog, she's been through a lot with us. My first dog, too, honestly it's just a blessing, she's like my sister, like a child."
While the homes were significantly damaged, with Cruickshank's residence gutted, no injuries were reported. An area resident, Shan Pillock, expressed his concern for his neighbors in a statement obtained by WSVN. The firefighting operation took close to 40 minutes to extinguish the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as officials comb through the smoldering remains in search of answers.
