Public Forum Proceed to Auspet's New Discussion Forum | Pet Directory | Classifieds | Home | LinkXchange


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  - Dogs - Pit bulls
  News thread on a pitbull

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   News thread on a pitbull
Russ
unregistered
posted 02-11-2003 05:16 PM           Edit/Delete Message
'Hero' dog perishes in blaze
Canine alerts five residents to deadly fire just in time

Veronique Mandal Star Health-Science Reporter, Windsor Star
windsor


EXTENSIVE DAMAGE: Windows are boarded up and the front porch charred at a home in the 800 block of Bridge Avenue following a fire Saturday. Star photo: Ted Rhodes


Scoop

ADVERTISEMENT


A two-year-old pitbull became a hero on the weekend after saving the lives of five people in a burning house before dying in the fire.

Scoop was in his cage on the first floor of a home in the 800 block of Bridge Avenue when the fire started at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday.

His barking woke two people sleeping on the first floor and they escaped through a bathroom window, as flames and smoke engulfed the wood frame building. A couple in the basement apartment also escaped.

It's not clear how the dog got out of his cage, said fire prevention officer Shawn Boutette, but Scoop found his way upstairs and began barking to alert his owner.

"The man woke up and went to the door. The knob was hot and when he opened the door he was hit with a mouthful of smoke. The man ran to the window, climbed onto a porch and jumped," said Boutette.

"All three people received only minor injuries, two also had abrasions. They were taken to hospital, treated and released."

Boutette said there were no smoke detectors on the first and second floors, only in the basement.

"If it wasn't for the dog barking I have no doubt that all of those people would have died. His barking woke them up. He's a hero," said Boutette.

When firefighters arrived flames were shooting out the front door.

"It was scary. About five fire trucks arrived and the place was filled with smoke and fire," said neighbour Frances Langlois. "The people had moved from a house two doors down just a couple of months ago. It's very sad. They've lost everything."

Firefighters attacked the fire from the rear of the house, driving it back on itself, out toward the front door in order to get upstairs, where they were told someone might be trapped. As heat began to build up, the fire created something called a flashover, which is the step before a backdraft, said Boutette.

"All unburned carbon particles ignite and in a flash everything not yet burned catches fire, all at the same time. The heat bursts into flames," Boutette said.

"Upstairs, the tops of the doors, which are hollow, were burned through. Everything three to four feet from the ceiling was burned."

The basement unit received smoke and water damage. Outside, the awning is charred, with blue vinyl siding peeling off the walls. Doors and windows have been boarded up.

Foul play is not suspected.

Investigators believe a candle or careless smoking may be the cause of the blaze. Boutette said damages are estimated to be about $130,000.

Residents in the home were taken in by friends and relatives.

IP: Logged

PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
Member

Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 02-11-2003 05:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
It is a real shame that the dog died..He truly is a hero.He risked his life to save the ones he loved,but what can I say..it's in his blood.Truly a REAL HERO in my eyes..

Thanks for the post Russ

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Auspet.com


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
















© 1999-2017 AusPet.com