WEST BOUNTIFUL – A Sunday night fire near 700 West and 1800 North killed a dog and damaged the man’s lungs who was trying to save it.

The man, the only occupant of the home that caught fire, was transported to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire started in the basement of a split-entry home, South Davis Metro Fire Agency Chief Jim Rampton said. On the first level, the fire crept between the floors and walls on the exterior of the house, making it difficult for firefighters to get to.

“It took us quite a while to get it under control,” Rampton said.

Firefighters also battled freezing temperatures and icy conditions.

“It takes more people to fight a fire in the cold,” Rampton said. “After firefighters have been inside a nice, warm environment and come out into below freezing conditions, they’re all sweaty and it takes longer to rehab them before they go back in.”

Another concern was that as soon as water from the hoses hit the ground, it froze. Rampton said that presents a special problem around the fire truck, where water is spraying everywhere.  The West Bountiful public works department brought in salt to place around the truck.

The home’s occupant may have gone back into the house to rescue the dog, leading to worse smoke inhalation for the man, Rampton said. The dog died in the fire.

The home sustained between $50,000 and $60,000 in damage, he said.