Devoted Dog Won't Leave Owner in Burning House

Firefighters were forced to use a fire extinguisher to scare a devoted dog away from his injured owner early Wednesday so the woman could be taken out of a burning Landover Hills house, authorities say.

The fire was reported just after 1 a.m. in the 4800 block of 66th Place, said Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George’s County Fire Department. The home’s two residents suffered non-life-threatening injuries. And two dogs were safely removed from the house and corralled by firefighters.

At first firefighters tried to call the dog away from his owner, but the pet wouldn’t leave her side, Brady told NBCWashington. Rescuers then aimed a powder fire extinguisher at the pooch, allowing firefighters to take the woman out of the house.

Both residents are expected to recover.

The dog didn’t act aggressively toward the firefighters, Brady said. Animal control officers took the two adult dogs, several puppies and two turtles from the scene.

»Screenshot of Landover Hills fire scene from NBCWashington