Dog Deemed Hero For Alerting OC Family To House Blaze

TUSTIN, CA — County fire officials are crediting a dog with alerting his family to an early morning fire in Orange County on Wednesday, which allowed them to exit the home safely.

"Give this dog an award!" the Orange County Fire Authority posted on Facebook.

Firefighters said that Fillmore barked inside the family home on Skyway Drive in Tustin and refused to stop.

The homeowners eventually realized that something was wrong and, upon further investigation, found a flickering light.

"They first feared a neighbor's house was on fire, but when they went outside, they discovered their own garage engulfed in flames," firefighters said.

After phoning authorities, the family grabbed garden hoses and tried to contain the fire.

Arriving firefighters quickly doused the flames, containing the blaze to the garage and preventing damage to the rest of the home.

"Before leaving, firefighters gave Fillmore some well-deserved attention," the fire authority said.