Watch CBS News

Dog Alerts Family To Fire In Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) - A Citrus Heights family says their Yellow Labrador Retriever, Montrose, saved their lives after their home went up in flames.

The fire broke out Wednesday morning in the 7500 block of Twin Oaks Avenue. Around 3:30 a.m., the dog alerted the family of six to the fire, making it possible for everyone inside to get out safely, including Montrose.

"I woke up to smelling something and that's when I heard the dogs barking," said Michael White, who lives in the home. "I looked outside to see what they were barking at, and I saw the flashing of the fire. I got up and started beating on everybody's doors"

The 5-year-old yellow lab doesn't bark much, so the family knew something was wrong.

"I just got up started beating on everybody's doors, getting everybody out of bed, out the back cause the fire was up front," said White.

The fire comes at a very difficult time for White.

"My wife has got cancer, going through chemo. I just didn't really need this on top of it," said White.

There was another dog trapped inside a crate upstairs, and unfortunately did not survive.

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze.

Montrose the Dog
Montrose (credit: CBS)
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.