Man dies trying to save little dogs from fire
The Portland Press Herald described Sherwood Campbell as a large man who adored his small dogs.
Sixty-four and living with his parents, upwards of 300 pounds, Campbell (shown above in a family photo from the 1990s) died Tuesday night while trying to save his dogs from his burning home in Canton, Maine.
Firefighters found Campbell’s body Wednesday morning at the entrance to his second-floor bedroom, the body of his dog Whomper with him, relatives told the Press Herald. His second dog, a Pomeranian named Little Dog, also died, as did his parents’ miniature pinscher, Muppet.
Campbell’s parents, both in their 80s, were not at home at the time because his father was hospitalized in Portland with a heart condition. The state Fire Marshal’s Office is still trying to determine what caused the fire, which started in the kitchen.
Mark Blanchette, Campbell’s brother-in-law, who lives across the street, said Campbell ran over Tuesday afternoon, his face covered with soot, yelling that the house was on fire.
Blanchette followed Campbell across the street, and tried to stop him from entering the home.
“He shoved me out of the way and went after the dog,” Blanchette said. “I kept telling him the dog’s not worth it.”
Blanchette said he grabbed Campbell’s leg, but Campbell, who he said weighed 300 to 400 pounds, kept going up the stairs, pulling Blanchette as he went.
“I held it as long as I could,” Blanchette said. “I had to let him go.”
Campbell was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and collected baseball cards, the Press Herald reported. He worked for 20 years in a nearby Bass shoe factory, but left due to health and eyesight problems.
“He just loved his dogs,” said his sister, Cindy Holland. “They were his world.”
Posted by jwoestendiek February 10th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animals, attempt, Canton, died, dogs, fire, home, house, killed, little dog, maine, muppet, pets, rescue, saving, sherwood campbell, whomper
Comments
Comment from vida
Time February 10, 2012 at 8:01 pm
A big guy who had a big heart I’d say. And yes, his bil was not on the same page. I’d like to think I’d try to save mine and they’d do the same for me.
Comment from JuliaL
Time March 16, 2012 at 5:58 am
Mr. Campbell is certainly a top contender for a Darwin Award.




























































Comment from smoketoomuch
Time February 10, 2012 at 9:53 am
This guy is a hero in my book, and his brother-in-law, ( “I kept telling him the dog’s not worth it.”) is a clueless a-hole. It’s sad that they all had to die, but I’d like to think that I would have done the same thing.