An unconscious man and his 100-pound dog who were pulled from a burning home on Cleveland's west side early Wednesday have died, according to Cleveland fire offiicals.
The home burst into flames around 4 a.m. on West 99th Street just south of Denison Avenue.
newsnet5.com's overnight photographer was there as firefighters pulled the man and his dog from the home, performing CPR on both.
The man--identified as 44-year-old Richard Waddell--was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center where he later died. The rottweiler, who neighbors called T-Bone, also died.
Fire crews said the wind fueled the flames, making it even harder to fight.
Neighbors told newsnet5.com the man lived alone in the bottom floor of the home. The upstairs was vacant.
Fire officials said neighbors told them the man was working a late shift Tuesday night. Authorities believe he got home from work and was cooking food on his stove when he fell asleep. Neighbors said something similar had happened once before.
One firefighter was also injured. He sustained burns to his neck.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
There was a smoke detector in the home but crews said they were unable to determine if it was working at the time of the fire.
