A family is homeless tonight, following an early morning fire in Vaughn. No people were injured in the blaze, but three pets were killed and the mobile home is a total loss. Now some have questions for the Vaughn Fire Department.

Twelve-year-old Brandon Black got a rude awakening around 3 o’clock this morning.

"My dad woke me up and I looked out the window, but I couldn’t see because of all the smoke. I could not breathe,” Black said.

Brandon, his father, and stepmother were able to escape, but his dog, rabbit, and bird were not as fortunate.

"We had to hear him whining and screaming. Our dog."

Brandon’s father Richard was unhappy with the Vaughn Volunteer Fire Department.

“It took 23 minutes for them to get here and the truck was broken when they arrived," Black said. “Then their 2nd truck didn’t have any water and Gore Hill Fire had to put it out.”

But Fire Chief Nate Curtis says it took about 10 minutes from the time they were paged.

"From the time the page goes off, we have to get dressed, get to the station, before the trucks can go out. We are a volunteer crew."

"I realize they are all volunteers, but that's their job,” said neighbor Wally Larson. “They need to keep their equipment working. We depend on them to save lives. It's lucky they got out alive."

"All truck have difficulties," said Chief Curtis. “Mechanical problems happen.”

The American Red Cross found a place for the family to stay for now, and they did have full insurance coverage on the home. But it will be a night that Brandon and his family won’t soon forget.

“This (dog) is the only pet left I have left,” Black said. “So I have to keep a close eye on her.”

The Cascade County Sheriff's Office is investigating to see whether there was criminal involvement in the fire. Richard Black says neighbors have been generous in offering them food and clothing.