Family dog credited for saving owner

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - The bark of a family dog saved his owner from a house fire's bite. The flames broke out in the home, in the 27-hundred block of May Street, in Springfield Township on Sunday afternoon.

Fire investigators said a burning cigarette sparked the raging fire, that left the family of five homeless.

Homeowner, Tony Daniel told 2 News, his smoke detectors failed, but the family dog did not. Daniel had just fallen asleep, at about 2 pm on Sunday. He said had to work at 11 pm that night, when the sound of Max, the Miniature Shnauzer's barking, woke him up.

"Oh yeah, he saved my life. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here. That would have been it," said Daniel.

Firefighters said the flames started on a chair in the living room. Daniel said when he woke up, the home was pitch black, even though it was broad daylight outside. He could feel the heat, and the smoke was very thick. Somehow he managed to get walk up to the sliding glass door, and both him and Max got out to safety. Moments later, Daniel said, the home was engulfed in flames.

The family lost almost everything in the fire, except a small pile of clothes, and a cabinet full of guns. The family included three children ages 4, 6, and 12. Daniel said they will be rebuilding their lives from scratch. He admitted he had learned a lot of lessons through this fire. One, about smoking cigarettes.

"I've been trying to quit and it's really hard, but I think everybody just needs to quit. If you're gonna smoke, don't smoke in your house. Go outside."

He also planned to hardwire smoke detectors in his home next time, instead of relying on just batteries, and he had a new found appreciation for his family, and the family pet. "He was my wife's dog, and I really didn't care for him that much, but I think he's my new buddy now," said Daniel.

The Clark County chapter of the American Red Cross was helping the family rebuild their lives. If you would like to help, you can contact the Red Cross office at (937) 399-3872.