A brave dog saved her beloved owner's life after alerting her to a fire that broke out in her flat.
Jordan Kent, 26, was about to step into the bath when she heard her Jack Russell Terrier, Maddy, barking loudly. Jordan rushed out thinking she may have left her front door open after their evening walk.
She was shocked to see a thick wall of smoke and flames in her bedroom after a dressing gown caught on fire after igniting on the lit candles on the bedside table. Jordan alerted the fire brigade who arrived at her home within minutes at 8.20pm and extinguished the flames.
Read more: Everything you should avoid with dodgy dog advertisements
Jordan, who works as an accounts manager in the UK, said she wouldn't have noticed the flames had it not been for Maddy's barks because her smoke alarm wasn't working. She told Hull Live: "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, 6, has been getting extra treats for her quick thinking.
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 have had to move out of their flat as the fire damage was too extensive for them to live there safely. A spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade retweeted the story with the warning: "If you like to use candles please read this article. Where Maddy the dog was undoubtedly a life saver, we still encourage everyone to have working smoke alarms in their home."
Read next:
47 homeless people died in Dublin last year as review into deaths launched
Shamed socialite Marcus Sweeney still living high life in plush gated house
Paschal Donohoe's pal confirms involvement in 2020 election posters
Imelda May says boyfriend 'lucky to climb out of car alive' following crash
Garda Commissioner condemns assaults on members and calls again for body cams
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
