http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Thank-dog-8211-ex-police-pet-wakes-owner/article-1040972-detail/article.html

'Thank dog for that' – ex-police pet wakes owner during fire
Tuesday, June 02, 2009, 07:30
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A COUPLE have told how they believe their pet dog helped save their lives by alerting them to a fire which broke out at their home while they slept.

Alan Rawson, who had been celebrating his 60th birthday with wife Lin, was asleep on the sofa when the dishwasher at their Alvaston home caught alight.

The father-of-three slept through the sound of the smoke alarm as the thick smoke filled the kitchen and living room.

It was only when his German shepherd dog, Zena, jumped on him, barking and licking his face, that Mr Rawson woke up and realised what was happening.

Mr Rawson, of Shardlow Road, believes he could have died if his beloved pet had not acted so quickly.


He said: "It was my birthday and I had been celebrating with my wife and family throughout the day so must have been more tired than I realised.

"Lin had gone upstairs to bed and I decided to watch some television and must have just drifted off on the sofa.

"The next thing I knew Zena was jumping all over me, barking and licking my face. I pushed her off at one point but she wouldn't let it go. She obviously knew something was wrong.

"When I opened my eyes the room was full of thick, grey smoke, it was terrifying."

The drama unfolded at about 11.10pm on Friday.

As soon as Mr Rawson was alerted to the incident by the ex-police dog, he went upstairs to wake Mrs Rawson, 58, and escorted her outside where she called 999.

Mr Rawson added: "I keep a fire extinguisher in my caravan so went and grabbed it and tried to put the fire out but it only calmed it down for a minute.

"The fire was contained to the kitchen but most of the rooms were smoke damaged. We have been very lucky and have our dog to thank for it."

Mr Rawson was taken to Derby City General Hospital for treatment to burns on his hands and feet and for smoke inhalation.

He was discharged at about 4.20am on Saturday.

Mrs Rawson said the couple had owned Zena for about a year.

She said: "Alan woke me up and was shouting something about a fire. The rooms were full of smoke so I went outside and spoke to the fire service.

"I hate to think what would have happened if Zena hadn't been there."

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were alerted to the small fire in the kitchen at about 11.20pm on Friday.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said the number of dishwasher fires was comparatively low.

She said: "Our most recent figures show that in 2006 there were 318 accidental house fires that were started in dishwashers.

"This compares to 3,168 started by smoking materials – the most common way house fires are begun – and over 2,000 for cooking appliances."

:love: how brilliant is that story :love:

Aww thats great,well done zena. :san50:

well done zena :love:

:san50: