Man Dies Trying To Save His Dog

By Eva Ruth Moravec For express-news.net

East Bexar County, Texas — A man died in an East Bexar County fire Christmas morning when he went back into a burning trailer home trying to save his favorite dog, officials said.

The man was identified by relatives as Frank “Poncho” Kruse, 62. He lived with his wife, Tina, in a double-wide in the 5100 block of Stanislaus.

After flames engulfed the home about 3:30 a.m., volunteers from China Grove, St. Hedwig and Lone Oak battled the blaze.

Bexar County sheriff’s Detective Frank Stubbs said there didn’t seem to be anything suspicious about the fire.

Laura Jesse, spokeswoman for the Bexar County fire marshal’s office, said the cause of the fire was undetermined, but the home was ruled a total loss. Kruse’s mother-in-law saw flames from her trailer next door and alerted his brother-in-law, Bob Sims.

Sims said he rapped on the couple’s bedroom window. Kruse got out and helped his wife and adult niece escape through the window, Sims said, but then went back inside once more.

“He went back in to get his dog,” Sims said, “and he didn’t come back out.”

Firefighters found Kruse’s body in the kitchen, said Stubbs, adding: “It’s a sad Christmas for this family.”

Kruse’s beloved 13-year-old Labrador, Sugar, died in the fire along with the couple’s second dog, Stubbs said.

A retired plumber, Kruse was well known in the neighborhood, where he always was seen with his canine counterpart.

“That dog was his pride and joy,” said Daniel Casey, Kruse’s son-in-law. “He didn’t go anywhere without it.”

Casey said the members of the large family typically spend Christmas morning together, eating breakfast and opening presents. This year, they congregated at crime scene tape outside the charred remains of the Kruse home.

“We’re extremely close,” Casey said. “Last night, we were all over here for a Christmas party, and everything was fine. It’s terrible — he was a good man.”

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Leslie
Leslie
13 years ago

That’s incredibly sad and bittersweet. They’re still together.

TestSubjekt
13 years ago

I’d go back for my dog too. He’s my best friend. I’m sure he’d try and save me…

Cjustpeachie
Cjustpeachie
13 years ago

God bless them all.

Beverly
Beverly
13 years ago

If anyone is interested in donating to his wife, Tina Kruse.
5170 Stanislaus Rd
Atkins, TX 78101

They were married for 38 years. Tina and Pancho (not Poncho) together cared for their adult handicapped niece, Lisa. Tina will be doing that alone now. ( Lisa came to live with them when her mom died years ago).

Pancho and Tina have 2 adult daughters, 1 son, and grandchildren.

I know all this because this is my Aunt Tina and my Uncle Pancho. The expanded family just left their house from the annual Christmas Eve bash just two hours prior.
The fire dept determined it was an electrical short in the computer room.

Pancho loved them dogs. He knew Sugar was getting up in age and didn’t have many years left but still went in after her and the younger lab too. He knew they couldn’t get out on their own, so he had to.

SUBSCRIBE TO
DOG FILES

Top Posts

More Articles...

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Why haven't You Signed up For our Newsletter?

Find out why over 8000 Dog lovers have already Joined!

Receive our newsletter, get special deals & stay updated.