9:40 PM

At 7:30 pm Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire located at 1329 NE Holland. When firefighters from Portland Fire Station 14 (Alberta Park) arrived, they could see smoke coming from the basement area of the house.

The homeowner, in his mid-40's, met firefighters out front and informed them of where the fire was and that he was missing five animals - three cats and two dogs. Upon entering the structure, firefighters found that most of the fire was isolated in the basement and centered around the water heater where clothes hanging around the water heater were burning.

Firefighters quickly put out the fire and Portland firefighter/paramedics attended to the homeowner who was having difficulty breathing due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters determined that the homeowner was suffering from high levels of carbon monoxide poisoning. After initial treatment at the scene, he was transported to Providence Medical Center.

Firefighters quickly searched for and located all five animals, which were found in different parts of the house. Firefighters evacuated all the pets outside and monitored them for smoke inhalation; all five animals are saf

According to Portland Fire Battalion Chief Tom Williams, "There should be plenty of space between a water heater and any other materials and there should never be anything within two feet of any heating appliance."

Damages to the house are estimated at $10,000 and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.