Blind Dog Alerts Calif. Family to Blaze

The pug sounded the alarm before smoke detectors.

Source The Sacramento Bee

Feb. 19, 2013

Feb. 19--A blind 3-year-old pug gave its Citrus Heights family first warning of a fire Sunday night, officials said.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District fought the blaze in the 7600 block of Woodchuck Way around 11:15 p.m. Sunday and helped residents flee.

Residents indicated the pug alerted them before smoke detectors sounded, officials said. A Metro Fire spokesman said the dog is named Ellie. Her owner was traveling and the woman's parents were dog-sitting. Officials said cigarette butts ignited a back patio, and fire spread to an attic.

The city Fire Department responded Monday to two other attic fires, on the 1200 block of Gary Way in Carmichael and a four-unit apartment on Cava Court in Arden.

Call The Bee's Dan Hill, (916) 321-1067.