Dog saves family from fire after detectors fail

[November 06, 2009]  LIBERTY, Ind. (AP) -- An eastern Indiana woman says her family's dog deserves a special treat after his barking saved her family from an early morning house fire.

 Laura Sizemore said Dash, a 2-year-old border collie-Australian shepherd mix, began growling and barking about 3 a.m. Wednesday, awakening her and her husband, Stacy.

The couple, who found the house filled with smoke, quickly woke up their 11-year-old and 15-year-old sons and fled their house in Liberty about 65 miles east of Indianapolis.

Laura Sizemore said Dash is a very good dog and he's going to get a reward for alerting the family after the home's two smoke detectors apparently failed to work.

Officials said the fire started in a detached garage and spread to the back of the house.

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Information from: Palladium-Item, http://www.pal-item.com/

[Associated Press]

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