When it comes to a fire, smoke detectors are supposed to be a warning system that’ll get you out of bed and (hopefully) to safety. But one New Jersey woman says her poodle beat hers to it. Aida Kelly’s West Milford home caught fire while she was asleep, and she says her 3-year-old poodle Squilliam, wouldn’t stop barking until she woke up, coincidentally saving her. WRAL reported that Kelly is crediting the dog with her escape.
The fire started just before 1 a.m. in West Milford, New Jersey. Kelly told CBS News New York that Squilliam came to her bed, went back and forth, and kept trying to get her attention as if he wanted something. At first, she just told him to be quiet.
Then the smoke detectors started going off. Kelly realized the house was on fire, grabbed Squilliam, and got out as smoke filled the home. By the time firefighters arrived, officials said the Elm Street house was already heavily involved and covered in flames.
Kelly ended up losing the house, but she and her heroic dog made it out safely. She claimed she wouldn’t be alive without him, and she appreciated what he had done for her. Usually, when a dog barks late at night, we tend to ignore them. It’s good that Kelly opted not to in this situation.
How Squilliam Woke Kelly Before the Fire Spread
Kelly said Squilliam started barking just before 1 a.m. He didn’t just bark once and settle down, though. He kept coming to her bed and moving around until she finally realized something was wrong. It seemed something had been bothering him.
By then, the fire was already spreading. Kelly said she heard the smoke detectors immediately after the dog woke her up, which means the dog could have heard them first. Once she realized it was a fire, she grabbed Squilliam and escaped from the house.
What Officials Said About the West Milford Fire
West Milford Fire Marshal Michael Moscatello told CBS News New York that first responders found the back of the house engulfed in flames. He explained that the fire had been rapidly extending through the house. Though the home had been destroyed, luckily, there weren’t any other losses.
At the time, investigators hadn’t determined an exact cause as of the report. Kelly said she believed the fire might have started from an extension cord plugged into a refrigerator outside. Regardless of the cause, she said Squilliam is her hero, and the little dog’s timing may have saved them both in the end.