Six residents have a dog to thank for alerting them to an early Thursday house fire that destroyed their home, according to Hillsborough Fire Rescue
Nobody was injured in the fire.
Fire crews responded to the fire at 10121 McIntosh Road shortly after 3 a.m., seeing flames coming through the roof and quickly spreading form one end of the home to the other, according to firefighters.
The fire was under control within about an hour.
The six residents, three men and three women, said they were first alerted to the fire by the family poodle, according to Chief Kevin Reynolds.
The residents saw flames on the back porch near a freezer and tried to put them out with a garden hose without success. Fire officials said the house was a complete loss.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The American Red Cross will help the residents with clothing and temporary housing.
St. Petersburg Times