Dog Saves Family from Huntington House Fire

Photo: A house fire in Huntington. Credit: Scott Dalrymple

When fire broke out in a Huntington home at about 1:40 a.m., it was the family dog who woke up the sleeping parents and son, authorities said.

Kevin Herlihy, 24, woke up when the 6-year old bulldog, Roxanne, who was lying next to him, started barking, according to News 4 New York. Discovering the blaze, which may have started in a first-floor office, Herlihy woke up his parents, Susan and Michael Herlihy.

The family, Roxeanne included, managed to escape unharmed, authorities said.

When volunteers from Huntington Fire Department arrived they found the raging fire in the two-story Dumbarton Drive cape home, with flames shooting through the roof, according to officials.

Firefighters began an aggressive attack on the fire and were assisted by crews from Halesite, Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington Manor and Greenlawn fire departments.

Nearly 50 firefighters using seven trucks battled the blaze, bringing it under control within one-and-a-half hours. Firefighters were on the scene until about 4 a.m. overhauling and dousing hot spots, officials said.

Units were under the command of Chief Robert Berry, assisted by Deputy Chiefs Jesse Cukro and Robert Conroy.

There were no injuries reported.

The Suffolk Police Arson Squad and Huntington Town Fire Marshal are investigating.