Firefighters rescue dog from 10-foot sinkhole

Firefighters rescue a 60-pound husky mix named Rip on Saturday after the dog had fallen down a 10-foot-deep sinkhole. (Clallam County Fire District 2)

Firefighters rescue a 60-pound husky mix named Rip on Saturday after the dog had fallen down a 10-foot-deep sinkhole. (Clallam County Fire District 2)

PORT ANGELES — Firefighters from two Clallam County districts rescued a 60-pound dog that had fallen into a sinkhole on property in the 600 block of Power Plant Road on Saturday.

Firefighter/EMT Matt Aston descended a ladder into the hole, described as 10 feet deep and 2 feet wide in the back yard of the residence, Clallam County Fire District 2 Chief Jake Patterson said in a press release.

The property owner stated that a depression had formed that was not there earlier in the day, according to the press release.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Fire district 2 was dispatched at 1:03 p.m. and requested additional assistance from the technical rescue team from Clallam County Fire District 3.

The dog, a husky mix named Rip, appeared uninjured but could not get out of the hole, the press release stated.

“Crews began preparing for the rescue of the dog and setting up a safe zone to operate,” Patterson said in the press release. “They also lowered an air-monitoring device into the hole to ensure that the atmosphere was safe for both the dog and the rescuers.”

Ladders were placed around the hole to provide a platform and reduce further collapse of the sinkhole, Patterson said. Rescuers were secured using ropes as a safety measure when they were working around the hole, he said.

“Initial attempts to get a loop of webbing material around the dog to pull him up were unsuccessful,” Patterson said. “It was then determined that a small ladder could be safely placed within the whole and a single rescuer could descend and secure the dog and bring them to the surface.”

Aston retrieved Rip about 3:08 p.m., Patterson said. Rip was a little shaken but appeared to be uninjured, he added.

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue responded with a fire engine, an ambulance, a rescue vehicle and two command vehicles with 13 personnel. Fire District 3 responded with a command vehicle and a rescue vehicle with five personnel.

The Port Angeles Fire Department also responded with a command vehicle and a chief officer, according to the press release.

More in News

Interfund loan to pay for Port Townsend meter replacement

City will repay over four years; work likely this winter

Artists to create murals for festival

Five pieces of art to be commissioned for downtown Port Angeles

Clallam assessor’s office to extend reduced hours

The Clallam County assessor’s office is continuing its reduction… Continue reading

Girders to be placed Thursday night

Contractor crews will place four 100-foot bridge girders over a… Continue reading

Cameras to check recycling contents in new program

Olympic Disposal will deploy a system of computerized cameras to… Continue reading

Road closed near Port Angeles structure fire

The Port Angeles Fire Department is working to contain… Continue reading

Rikki Rodger, left, holds a foam float, and Mark Stevenson and Sara Ybarra Lopez drop off 9.2 pounds of trash and debris they collected at Kai Tai Lagoon in Port Townsend during the Port Townsend Marine Science Center Earth Day Beach Cleanup event Saturday at Fort Worden State Park. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Beach cleanup

Rikki Rodger, left, holds a foam float, and Mark Stevenson and Sara… Continue reading

Emily Randall.
Randall reflects on first 100 days

Public engagement cited as top priority

Sequim company manufactures slings for its worldwide market

Heavy-duty rigging includes windmills, construction sites

Legislature hearing wide range of bills

Property tax, housing could impact Peninsula

Jefferson County adjusts budget appropriations

Money for parks, coroner and substance abuse treatment in jail

Motorcycle rider airlifted to Seattle hospital

A Sequim man was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after… Continue reading