Dog Alerts Family To House Fire
POSTED: Thursday, April 12, 2007
UPDATED: 11:07 am CDT April 12,
2007
HOUSTON -- A family of six escaped from their burning home after their dog alerted them to the fire, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The Altamirano family said their pit bull started barking at their home on East Crosstimbers Street near Cochran Street shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday.
"My dad woke up because the dog was barking," Erica Altamirano said. "My dad saw the fire and my dad tried to turn it off with a water hose, but it didn't work."
The Houston Fire Department arrived at the home and put out the fierce flames.
The home sustained significant damage.
One of the boys inside the home was hospitalized with smoke inhalation and is expected to recover. No other injuries were reported.
The family, which has lived in the house for more than 10 years, said this is the second tragedy at the home in about a year.
Johanna Hernandez, 16, was shot in the family's living room on Feb. 24, 2006. Houston police said a bullet fired from outside the home penetrated the wall and struck Hernandez.
Hernandez was dating one of the boys who lives in the home.
Detectives said the shooting appeared to be gang-related.
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com.
All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.