PORTLAND -- The dog named Cleo that was rescued from a burning home by his owner Monday has died, according to DoveLewis Animal Hospital.
John Shideler, 47, went back into the fire when he realized Cleo, his pet German Shepherd mix, was still inside his burning home. Shideler suffered burns in the rescue and Cleo was having trouble breathing afterwards.
Shideler was rushed to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in serious condition, with burns to his arms and face. But by Tuesday, he was doing well enough to visit his beloved pet in the animal hospital.
Cleo was treated at the scene with a pet oxygen mask and then taken to DoveLewis after Monday's fire. That night, he had to be put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit and was struggling, according to veterinarians.
The dog never recovered and was euthanized late Tuesday evening. Shideler was by the dog's side. DoveLewis officials said they were able to put Cleo on a ventilator to wait for her owner, due to donor-supported community programs, which covered the cost.
The fire broke out just after 1 a.m., in the 7100 block of N. Macrum Avenue after reports of windows breaking and flames shooting from the roof of a home, according to Fire Bureau spokesman Tommy Schroeder.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation. Firefighters said the home was very cluttered, which may have contributed to how fast the flames spread.
Schroeder cautioned that entering a burning home without proper equipment and training "can have tragic consequences." Homes now contain large amounts of synthetic materials which can drop a person quickly.
It was the third fire complicated by household clutter in Portland in the past two weeks, firefighters said.
