Firefighter injured, dog killed in Clairemont blaze

A police officer who responded to a Clairemont house fire Saturday shot and killed a badly wounded dog to end its suffering, while a firefighter battling the blaze from the roof partially fell through the structure and was taken to a hospital, authorities said.

The fire was reported on Mt. Acadia Boulevard near Acworth Avenue just before noon, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The bulk of the blaze was knocked down about 30 minutes later.

A San Diego police officer who arrived at the scene came upon a dog on fire and used his service weapon to “put the dog out of its misery,” said fire spokesman Lee Swanson. Another dog, a puppy, was rescued in the backyard and given oxygen, fire officials said.

Meanwhile, a firefighter working on the roof partially fell through but was quickly extricated. He was taken to a hospital with burns along one side of his waist but not believed to be seriously injured.

The home’s occupants were not there when the fire broke out. The Red Cross was called to help three displaced residents.

The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in the living room area, was determined to electrical, Swanson said. The damage to the home was estimated at $300,000 and its contents at $100,000.