DALLAS, N.C. -- A firefighter is recovering after experiencing chest palpitations while battling a house fire Thursday morning in Gaston County.
Dallas Fire Department Chief Steven Lambert said the fire started around 10:30 a.m. inside the chimney of a 119-year-old house at the corner of South College and East Church Streets.
Chief Lambert said a woman was inside the home sleeping when the fire started, but one of his firefighters, who happened to be in the area, ran inside and helped her escape before more firefighters arrived.
As they extinguished the flames, firefighters also rescued a dog hiding underneath a bed.
In a Facebook post, the Agriculture Center Fire Department identified the hurt firefighter as one of its members and said he's undergoing testing at CMC Main in Charlotte.
Roslyn Dixon was visiting family when she came across the fire.
"I never seen a house burn down like this," Dixon said.
The Red Cross is helping the family living inside the home find temporary shelter.