A family dog alerted its owners to a fast-moving house fire in Oregon, helping them escape—but the animal is believed to have died in the blaze, officials said.
The fire began shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday in Tigard, a suburb roughly 10 miles southwest of Portland, and quickly consumed the home in towering orange flames.
Those inside became aware of the danger only after the family dog raised the alarm, according to Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. The agency said the pet is believed to have perished in the fire.
One resident sustained burns, while another was hurt after leaping from a balcony in an effort to escape. Officials have not released their names.
Three additional occupants got out of the burning house without injury, the fire agency said.
Several pet birds are also presumed dead. A second dog, however, survived and escaped the home safely, officials said.
The two injured residents were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Tigard police said both are expected to recover.
The intensity of the flames forced firefighters to attack the fire from outside, using hose lines positioned around every side of the house, officials explained.
A powerful fire destroyed a home in Tigard, Oregon, shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. Officials said a dog warned its owners but apparently died in the blaze
One resident suffered burns, while another was injured after jumping from a balcony to flee the burning home. Their identities have not been released
As the inferno intensified, sections of the house—including walls and ceilings—began collapsing.
Crews eventually contained the flames with only one fire hydrant available. They also prevented the fire from reaching nearby trees and shrubs.
The fire flared up again just before 7 a.m., sending crews back to the property to extinguish lingering hot spots, Fox 12 reported.
A hot spot is a smoldering area that continues to retain active heat after the main fire has been extinguished.
The property has been deemed a total loss, and the displaced family has arranged alternate housing, the department said.
Video released by the fire agency showed that several vehicles parked at the property were also destroyed.
Fire investigators are working to determine what caused the devastating blaze, according to the department.
Police body-camera video captured the eerie aftermath and the frightening conditions crews faced at the scene.
Fire investigators are trying to determine what caused the devastating Tigard house fire
The fire reignited shortly before 7 a.m., forcing crews to return and extinguish smoldering hot spots
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.
The Daily Mail contacted Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and the Tigard Police Department for comment.