Pets save couple from burning home

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) -- Two family dogs are being credited for saving a couple from their burning home, but sadly, one of those dogs died in the fire.

Officials said the couple made it out of their burning home, located at 3222 Harrison Street, because their dogs continuously barked and alerted them. "They were awaken by the dog yelping, so once the owner got up and ran out, he noticed there was heavy smoke inside the house," said Hollywood Fire Chief Mark Steele.

Investigators are blaming an unattended candle for the overnight house fire. "If you can image this size home with fire starting in the rear and then making it all the way to the front, like you see the charring up there, that's pretty extensive," said Steele.

One man witnessed the intense fire and tried to help save the beloved pet. "On the ground, we tried to save the dog, and we only got about five feet, and you couldn't even see the flames in the back of the house. That's how thick the smoke was," said Dan Spencer.

Hollywood Fire Rescue transported both the man and woman inside the home to a local hospital. The woman suffered second degree burns to her arms and first degree burns to her face.

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