A hero sausage dog has saved five children from a serious house fire in Swindon.
The one-year-old miniature dachshund named Wally alerted his owner – who had not heard the fire alarm – to the flames developing at the home in Welcome Avenue.
At the time of the fire on 10 December, Chris Bevington, 39, was outside fixing his van, whilst his partner Charlotte Coultas, 39, was out shopping.
Charlotte said: “At the time there were five children in the house, three of mine and two friends visiting.
“Chris was outside fixing his van when the dog came out and barked, running back to the house and returning, barking again, my partner could not hear the fire alarm from outside.”
After being alerted by Wally, Chris was fast to act and rescue the five children from inside – despite the flames growing quickly.
Charlotte continued: “Once Chris realised there was a lot of fire he got the children out of the house.
“He tried to put it out himself with an extinguisher but the flames were too big and it got out of hand.”
The disastrous event happened at around 3pm in the afternoon but thanks to a truly heroic effort from the family’s dog, Wally, no fatalities occurred.
“He’s a good dog, he’s amazing,” said Charlotte.
“He is so friendly to all the school children who see him in the garden every day.”
Although the fire services arrived within four minutes of being called, severe damage had already been done to the Swindon property.
Whilst the official reason for the blaze has not been found, the family believe it may have been a charger in a downstairs bedroom.
Charlotte said: “Most of downstairs is written off and although the fire itself did not reach upstairs, the heat and smoke damage is extensive.
“Anything with a surface is now covered with the black tar-like smoke damage. We have been told to expect full loss of everything as barely anything is going to be salvageable.
“We are now all split up, living in different family members’ homes while we sort this.”
A GoFundMe appeal was set up in the family’s name to help raise funds. So far, more than £4,000 has been raised. Find out more and donate here.
