A Mead plumber rescued six animals after his house caught flames in early November.

Cory Schneider, a plumber at DNI Heating, Cooling, Refrigeration and Plumbing in Mead and a Larimer County resident, was checking his mailbox when he heard the news.

“I stopped at the mailbox to check my mail and the next thing I knew, my neighbor yelled that there was smoke coming from my house,” said Schneider. “So I threw my car in drive and went speeding through the neighborhood.”

When he arrived at his home in Terry Lake Mobile Home Park, north of Fort Collins, Schneider tried to force open the door but was unable.

“I kicked down the door and my neighbor was there with a fire extinguisher. I started battling the flames while I was trying to find my kids or my dogs or just my family,” said Schneider. “Then I started gagging and couldn’t breathe so I went back out to the porch and caught my breath.”

He took a deep breath before running back inside to continue his search.

“The flames were starting up the wall again from the electrical socket and so I emptied the rest of the fire extinguisher on the flames that were coming back,” said Schneider. And then I dropped to the floor and started crawling through the kitchen and living room. I couldn’t find any of the pets and I couldn’t find my kid so I went back out and I jumped off my porch to the backyard.”

Shortly after, another neighbor yelled to Schneider that a dog was near the back entrance of the house.“He started yelling that there was a dog on the floor. I went back in and found my one dog gagging and gasping for breath,” Schneider said. “I looked over on my bed and that’s where my roommate’s dog was so I grabbed both of them and threw them outside.”

Schneider said he kicked down his daughter’s door and was relieved to find that she wasn’t home. He then threw her bird cage out the window and ran outside once again.

“I found a garden hose and I tied it around (the dog’s) neck and that’s when the fire department showed up, although I didn’t realize who they were,” said Schneider. “I just threw them the hose and started running back in when he grabbed me by the hood and said ‘Where the h*** do you think you’re going?’”

Schneider told the firefighters that he still needed to rescue his daughter’s two rabbits.

“(The firefighters) ended up recovering the rabbits and then that allowed me to concentrate on the two other dogs; one of them was halfway responsive and one of them wasn’t,” said Schneider. “So I started doing CPR to my dog, Lex Luther, and I got him breathing again.”

The dogs were brought to an emergency animal hospital where veterinarians told Schneider that because of the fire, they had been severely deprived of oxygen.

“They had to put the dogs in an oxygen box for about an hour to an hour and a half apiece, and then I ended up going to the hospital for smoke inhalation,” said Schneider. “The only animal that ended up passing away because of the fire was one of the rabbits, Toast, from respiratory issues.”

His house was later considered to be a total loss. However, a co-worker of his let Schneider and his daughter stay in their Airbnb until they got adjusted. The family has now found a home about 15 minutes north of Fort Collins.

In total, he saved three dogs, two rabbits and a bird from perishing in the house fire despite being hospitalized for smoke inhalation and burns.

“I’d like to think anyone would do that, especially for their family,” said Schneider. “I’m doing well physically but mentally it’s still there. It’s one of those things that probably won’t ever go away, it will just get better with time.”

His daughter’s clothes were salvageable but the rest of his belongings, including beloved hunting trophies and fishing gear from his childhood farm, were destroyed in the fire.

Despite the immense loss he feels, Schneider said local residents of Longmont and Mead have been really generous.

“We got all kinds of people who have offered donations,” said Schneider. “It’s just astonishing, the help and generosity. These people have a heart of gold.”

Fellow coworkers, like Devin Cullum, co-owner of DNI, gave Mead and surrounding community members a call to action.

“Cory is more than just a colleague; he’s a cornerstone of our community — a hardworking professional and loving father who always puts others first. Now it’s our turn to rally around him,” said Callum.

To donate to Schneider, visit gofundme.com/f/help-cory-rebuild-after-a-devastating-house-fire.