UPDATED: Hills Woman's Home Destroyed by Fire

Farmington Hills firefighters rescued two dogs trapped in a burning house on Bridgeman Thursday afternoon, but the home itself was heavily damaged.

Homeowner Brenda Barnett said firefighters brought the dogs out of the house on stretchers. The dogs were treated with special oxygen masks and taken to a veterinary hospital in Novi, Lt. Denny Hughes said in a statement issued around 4 p.m. Thursday.

On Friday morning, Hughes said investigators would return to continue their investigation into the cause of the fire. The estimated loss was upgraded from $50,000 to $75,000, because of heavy fire damage to one room and the roof, as well as smoke damage throughout the home.

Hughes noted the special pet oxygen masks were donated to the Fire Department years ago by a private donor, and "with these masks, we've been able to successfully save numerous pets through the years."

Neighbor Dennis Yaros said he spotted smoke coming from the house just before 2:30 p.m. He grabbed his home fire extinguisher and sprayed the side of the house, but it quickly became apparent the fire was bigger than he could handle.

"Then all of a sudden, the windows exploded," he said.

Yaros knew the dogs were in the house and wanted to go inside to get them, but said a police officer who responded to the scene stopped him from entering the burning structure.

Barnett said she has owned the home since 1986, and lives there with her two children, who were not home at the time. Her mother also lives there part-time; the two of them were together shopping when Barnett got the call that her house was on fire.

By the time she arrived on the scene, firefighters had extinguished the blaze.

"I looked inside my bedroom window, and all I could see was the studs," she said.

More than an hour after arriving home, Barnett sat outside in a lawn chair with her family, as neighbors stopped by to offer comfort and whatever else she needed. She wasn't sure where she'd be spending the night, but was certain she would find someplace. As she spoke with Hughes, who said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Barnett even managed a few laughs.

Close friend Diane Ray said everyone was very relieved that the dogs got out alright and that no one was injured. However, Barnett's cat was still missing around 4:30 p.m. 

Hughes said more than 20 firefighters responded and had the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

Correction: Homeowner Brenda Barnett's name was incorrectly reported.