A dog managed to save its owner's life after her flat went up in flames as she was getting into the bath.
Jordan Kent has hailed her furry friend and said she doesn't know what would have happened if her Jack Russell, Maddy, hadn’t alerted her to the fire in her bedroom.
The 26-year-old said she had lit some candles on a bedside table that evening and was running a bath when her six-year-old dog began yapping.
READ MORE: GoFundMe page set up for 10-year-old Irish girl in need of life-changing surgery to walk again
She quickly decided to investigate as her pup’s bark sounded different from her usual yelp, and thought she may have left her front door open after their evening walk.
When she emerged from the bathroom, she realised that Maddy was barking at her bedroom door, and when Jordan looked inside, she was met by a wave of smoke and flames.
She immediately phoned the fire services, who arrived at her rented home at 8.20 pm - just four minutes later - before extinguishing the blaze.
Jordan said she wouldn’t have noticed the inferno on time if it wasn’t for Maddy and revealed that the flames caught on to her dressing gown before spreading.
She said: “When I heard Maddy barking, it was so odd, it wasn’t her regular bark as if she was playing, and it was as if she was scared.
“She was in the hallway just barking at the door but I couldn’t see what was on the other side so I just opened the door slightly and saw flames and smoke and closed it.
“Thank god for Maddy, my smoke alarm hadn’t gone off – I didn’t even know she knew what fire was because she’s never even been around a campfire or anything like that.
“As soon as I was off the phone after calling 999, I could hear the sirens the crews were there so quickly to help me." Jordan said Maddy had been getting extra titbits for her quick thinking.
She added: “Maddy has definitely been getting extra treats, if it wasn’t for her I don’t know what would have happened, I’m so glad we got out and the firefighters were there so quickly.”
Watch Manager Graeme Jackson said it was lucky that Maddy made Jordan aware of the impending danger.
He said: “Thankfully the fire was contained to the bedroom because Jordan closed the door. But fires can spread very quickly and cause significant damage in just a matter of minutes, luckily Jordan heard Maddy’s barking and got out safely.
“We would always encourage you to check your smoke alarms and if they aren’t working to get in touch. Never cover your smoke alarms as they are the first line of defence against fire and can save your life – not everyone has Maddy to alert them.”
Jordan and Maddy are now moving out of that flat after the fire as the damage sustained were too much for them to live there safely.
READ NEXT:
Thousands of workers missing out on cash boost that could be worth over €2,000
Gardaí launch murder probe after retired farmer beaten to death in hospital
€3.5m Lotto jackpot-winning ticket sold in Dublin as search begins for winner
Met Eireann's five day forecast shows brief respite before grim change this weekend
Una Healy enjoys night out at boxing match with David Haye amid 'throuple' talk
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
