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Quick-Thinking 11-Year-Old Saves Puppy From House Fire

September 11, 2021

An 11-year-old girl in Florida helped save a puppy's life after a house caught fire over Labor Day weekend.

Mackenzie Jenkins / Cape Coral Fire Department

Mackenzie Jenkins was sitting on a swing Saturday evening when she heard barks and spotted smoke coming from a neighbor's home, according to the Cape Coral Fire Department.

"She quickly called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers what she saw. When firefighters were able to make entry, they knew to search for a dog thanks to the information provided by Mackenzie," a spokesperson of the department wrote in a Facebook post.

The puppy was unresponsive when firefighters found her, but Lee County EMS cooled her and provided oxygen, and by the time the fire was out, she was up and walking around.

Cape Coral Fire Department

Firefighters presented Mackenzie with a Community Recognition Coin for her actions which not only prevented further damage to her neighbor’s home from the fire, but also saved their dog's life.