Barking dog saves the day

By Cleve Wiese

Published: April 24, 2008

A sleeping family was probably saved from a fire ripping through their Waynesboro home early this morning by the barks of their Black Labrador Retriever, said Chief Bruce Crow of the Augusta County Fire Department.
“The dog’s the hero here,” Crow said. “They ought to be going out and buying him a big steak.”
The fire began in a carport and spread to the building’s attic, Crow said. Flames were already over the husband and wife’s bedroom when their agitated pet awakened them. Smoke detectors failed to sound, Crow said.
The couple - and the dog - escaped, unharmed, but the husband sustained some minor burns from trying to fight the fire with a garden hose, Crow said.
The house is located in the Grand View subdivision between Waynesboro and Stuart’s Draft.
Property in the house’s kitchen, living room and bedroom was almost completely destroyed by smoke and water damage, said Crow. A 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck and two older model SUVs near the carport also burned. Crow said the total loss was at least $130,000.
The fire was reported around 2:45 a.m., Crow said. Responding authorities included the Waynesboro, Preston Yancey, Stuart’s Draft, New Hope, Wilson and Augusta County Fire Departments, as well as Waynesboro and Stuart’s Draft rescue squads.