Anyone who has ever lived with a dog knows they become part of the family and try to look out for their owners. One couple in Kennewick, Washington, narrowly escaped an inferno at their apartment complex. They owe their lives to their brave canine.
According to a report by the Tri-City Herald, a large fire broke out at an apartment in the 1000 Block on North Cleveland Street in Kennewick on Thursday morning. A couple was sleeping at their residence when their panicked pooch, Willow, woke them up during the early hours. They initially dismissed the barking dog but later checked out the door to investigate. The outlet explains that they saw flames coming out of the windows of their property, and they quickly decided to evacuate. The issue was that the couple lived on the second floor, with flames blocking the staircase.
26-year-old Izabeau Pearston lived at the apartment with her boyfriend, who reportedly told her to grab a rope. “Then he tied off the rope on the bed and rappelled down,” she explained. The fire quickly took hold, and Pearston said by the time they lowered Willow out of the window, the room was full of black smoke. Another resident on the same floor as the couple allegedly jumped out the window to escape. They suffered a back injury.
Police Reveal Images Of The Apartment Building Ablaze
The Kennewick Police Department shared information about the incident, along with several images, on social media. Authorities were notified of the blaze at approximately 4:34 AM. The Department explains that both second-story occupants escaped via their windows, and everybody in the block evacuated in time. Emergency services treated multiple residents for minor injuries.
The Tri-Star Herald explains the apartment blaze is one of four fires made far more dangerous by 25MPH winds. Ben Shearer, a public information officer for Benton County Fire District 4, said the wildfire season is in full swing. He reportedly noted that temperatures were 10-20 degrees higher than usual, which dried out grass and sagebrush.
Sadly, Pearston told the outlet that she and her boyfriend lost almost everything to the fire. “We’re trying to figure out what steps to take next,” she explained. Still, she is relieved Willow saved the family and reportedly said she “will be spoiled for the rest of her days.”