Dog Sets South Austin House On Fire In Leap To Grab Lunch

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- Bad dog! A fire started by the family dog caused $100,000 in damage this past weekend, firefighters said. First responders pointed to the Labrador retriever as the culprit behind Saturday's blaze.

The Austin Fire Department received the emergency call at 2:45 p.m. on Willer Way. First responders ended up having to save the furry fire starter and resuscitate the beast after it succumbed to smoke inhalation, KVUE-TV reported.

Firefighters said the dog was alone in the house when it jumped to get some barbecue on the stove. In the dog's enthusiasm to fetch himself a late lunch, he inadvertently turned on the stove, according to fire investigators. The dog has been known to do this in the past, they said.

The home's two residents were displaced as a result. No word on whether they took the dog with them to their temporary quarters as the house gets repaired.