Fire Destroys Pennsylvania Kennel, Home

Jan. 2, 2006
One of the dogs started making noise, alerting the owner in time to get out of the house.

Quick thinking by a Westmoreland County family saved several dogs when their home and kennel caught on fire.

One of the dogs started making noise, which was enough to get it's owner's attention and get them out of the burning home.

Firefighters battled the flames at the home on Grays Station Road in Derry Township, but the house could not be saved from extensive damage.

Terry Schomo is just happy she and most of her pets survived.

Schomo's house was also her business.

The "Makin' Tracks" pet shop is where she and her husband bred collies.

There were about 15 of them inside at the time, including a liter of 2-week-old puppies.

Neighbors joined in the effort to save them.

Both of the family cats died in the fire.

Schomo escaped without getting hurt.

The Blairsville Fire Department is still searching for the cause of the blaze.

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