Dogs Miraculously Survive Junkyard Blaze, Reunite with Florida Family

A Florida family is breathing a sigh of relief after discovering their two dogs survived a large fire that tore through a junkyard and nearby auto businesses.

NBC Miami reported that on the evening of May 25, a massive fire erupted at a junkyard and several family-run businesses in Opa-locka.

The Lopez family, who have operated JC Motors and Gary Used Auto Parts for three decades, were devastated when their dogs, Fantasma and Mimi, went missing as the flames spread. They feared the worst.

Gary Lopez, one of the owners, told NBC Miami, “I don’t have kids, so those are my kids,” adding that he was so worried he “lost his best friends.”

But 17 hours after the fire started, the dogs were found unharmed amid the wreckage of the businesses. In a video shared by the outlet, the pups ran to their family, overjoyed, and enjoyed lots of belly rubs and affection.

“That feeling can’t be beat. These are smart dogs,” Lopez told the news outlet. “I just felt relief. That’s like, your best friend.”

Protecting pets in a fire emergency

When preparing for an emergency, it’s crucial to remember your pets. The American Red Cross advises including them in your family emergency plan to ensure their safety.

“This includes having their own disaster supplies kit as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home,” the Red Cross explains. “When you practice your escape plan, practice taking your pets with you. Train them to come to you when you call.” The organization also notes to “never delay escape or endanger yourself or family to rescue a family pet.”

During an active emergency, the organization also notes that it’s important to evacuate your pets when evacuating your family.

If you’re unable to evacuate your pets, they also recommend making it easy for firefighters to locate them during a rescue by “keeping collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet” and “keeping them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.”

It’s also highly recommended to include a pet alert that states how many pets you have in your household to “save rescuers time when locating your pets,” and to update the list so they know as well.