A pet dog has been hailed a hero after helping its elderly owners – the grandparents of Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee’s wife – escape their burning home.

Little Jack Russell Vivienne alerted elderly couple Helen and Geoff Packer when their fire alarms failed to activate after their home on Glen Avenue in Unley Park went up in flames about 3am. 

The Packers, who are grandparents of Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee’s wife Maisie Packer and members of a prominent Adelaide business family, were reportedly asleep when the fire broke out.

According to the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), the home’s fire alarms did not activate due to the external nature of the fire’s origin. 

It started in the carport before rapidly spreading to the home’s roof.

The couple’s house was extensively damaged by fire, with the estimated cost of damages reaching $2 million dollars.

“It’s a pretty bad day for them, they’ve lost most of their house. However, the Jack Russell dog has woken them up and they’re unscathed,” MFS’ Gideon Douglas said.

“Hundred per cent that dog needs some treats today,” he said.

Neighbour Scott Fox tried to contain the fire with a garden house before firefighters were on scene. 

“I thought if I could get some water on the exterior of the building it might not be able to catch it but it was raging, it was pretty hot,” Fox said.

The Packers, who have resided at the property for three decades, are insured, but are unsure about rebuilding due to their ages.