Hero dog saves family from fire

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

London Fire Brigade has heaped praise on a dog who saved a family from a London house fire.

A man and two children were asleep in the house in Enfield when a fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning.

The unnamed Doberman woke the man by barking. He was then able to escape with his children before calling the fire services.

The fire started in a rear bedroom and is believed to have been caused by a plug-in air freshener that had been covered by material.

Both children and their father were checked for smoke inhalation by ambulance crews at the scene, but none needed hospital treatment.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “The dog may well have saved this family’s lives. His barking woke the family up, allowing them to quickly escape and call us out.

"Had they not been woken up so quickly, the damage to their home could have been far worse and they might not have escaped without injury. I’m sure they are very grateful to their hero dog!”

The spokesman also warned people to be careful with plug-in air fresheners. “When using plug-in air fresheners, it is important to ensure they remain upright and are never covered. Covering a plug-in can result in overheating, which can be dangerous and cause fires, as we’ve seen here. Always read the instructions on the packet and make sure you’re using it safely and correctly.”