A family dog is credited with saving its owners after a devastating house fire erupted in Tigard, Oregon—but the animal is believed to have died before it could escape, officials said.
The blaze began shortly before 2am Wednesday in the Portland suburb, roughly 10 miles from the city, and rapidly consumed the home in towering orange flames.
Residents became aware of the danger only after their dog alerted them. Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue said the pet is believed to have perished in the fire.
One resident suffered burns, while another was hurt after leaping from a balcony to escape the flames. Officials have not released their names.
Three additional occupants got out of the burning house without injury, the fire agency reported.
Several pet birds inside the home are also presumed dead. A second dog, however, survived and escaped safely, according to the department.
The injured residents were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Tigard police said both are expected to recover.
The intensity of the fire forced crews to fight the flames from outside, deploying hose lines around every side of the property, officials said.
A massive fire tore through a Tigard, Oregon, home at about 2am Wednesday. Officials said a dog warned its owners of the danger but is believed to have died in the blaze
One resident was burned, while another suffered injuries after jumping from a balcony to flee the fire. Their identities have not been released
As the inferno intensified, portions of the home’s walls and ceilings began collapsing.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control using a single available hydrant and stopped it from spreading to surrounding trees and shrubs.
The fire flared up again just before 7am, sending crews back to the property to extinguish lingering hot spots, Fox 12 reported.
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A hotspot is a smoldering pocket of heat that can remain after the visible flames have been extinguished.
The house has been declared a total loss, and the displaced family has arranged alternative accommodation, the department said.
Video released by the fire agency also showed that several vehicles parked at the property were destroyed.
Investigators are now working to determine what caused the destructive fire, according to the fire department.
Police body-camera footage captured the eerie aftermath and the frightening conditions crews encountered.
Fire investigators are working to identify the cause of the devastating Tigard house fire
The blaze reignited shortly before 7am, forcing firefighters to return and extinguish smoldering hotspots
Terrifying police bodycam footage captured the moment an officer arrived at the buring home that morning
In it, a male officer pulled up to the home, which was clearly ablaze, and screamed: ‘Is anybody inside?’
A woman responded frantically, stating: ‘The whole house is on fire.’
The cop asked if that was her home, and after the woman appeared to say no, he told her to stay put as he approached the burning home.
At one point, a loud boom was heard near the home as fire crews, ambulances, and more officers arrived on scene.
Our News Outlet contacted Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and the Tigard Police Department for comment.
