SANDY TOWNSHIP – A family dog saved the lives of his owners after their Clear Run Road residence caught fire early Saturday morning in Sandy Township.
According to Bob Wilson, chief of the Sandy Township Fire Department, the residence is owned by Charles H. Alsbaugh. However, it was occupied by tenant Angie Holliday and her 13-year-old daughter.
Wilson said Holliday who was asleep at the time was woken by the family dog, which was barking. She heard a “crackling noise” and observed a “glow” in the kitchen area.
Holliday then woke her daughter. They were able to exit the structure. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, Wilson said.
When the initial personnel arrived, Wilson said a second alarm was called to respond to the scene. He said it included “tankers” from stations in Brockway, Falls Creek and Reynoldsville. He noted that the additional tankers were not needed.
Wilson said firefighters arrived on scene and had the fire under control within six minutes. He said an investigation revealed the cause to be electrical in nature. He said it originated in the rear in an addition to the structure.
According to him, the residence’s addition was a total loss. He said the remainder sustained “extensive” smoke, heat and water damage.
“The dog saved the family from the fire,” Wilson said, adding that “it was an excellent attack on the fire.” He said it was a “good effort” by the firefighters to save the home from further damage.
He continued, “Without the quick response along with the dog alerting the family, the outcome could have been different.”
The DuBois Chapter of the American Red Cross is currently assisting the family.