Rescue Dog Instrumental In Alerting Family To House Fire In Franklin

Press release from the City of Franklin:

July 5, 2020

Franklin, TN – Jeff LeCates’ said his three-year old rescue dog, Roux was barking “frantically and unusually” at his front door just before 10:45 PM last night in the Twin Oaks neighborhood. When he opened the door to investigate, he said she went flying out. He followed and discovered his neighbor’s house was on fire.

LeCates immediately pounded on their door, waking the family of three and their pets, who escaped unharmed. He used a garden hose on the fire until firefighters arrived.

Ironically, the woman who lives in the home that caught fire is a dog groomer and the reason LeCates adopted Roux 15 months earlier. She knew that LeCates had lost his German Shepherd. She also knew that Roux, who is a Belgian Malinois - a breed similar to German Shepherds, was in need of a home. She helped to facilitate the adoption.

According to Franklin Fire Marshal Andy King, fireworks caused the fire, resulting in approximately $50,000 in damage to the home on White Ct. See related story: "Fireworks Cause 4th of July House Fire."

This press release was produced by the City of Franklin. The views expressed here are the author’s own.