Dog Alerts Family to Early Morning House Fire Near DeSoto

DeSoto, Mo. (KFMO) - An early morning house fire just outside of DeSoto could have ended in tragedy if not for the quick actions of firefighters and the instincts of a family dog.

At approximately 5:21 a.m. Wednesday, Jefferson County 911 Dispatch received reports of a residential fire in the 3900 block of Upper Plattin Road. While fire crews were en route, dispatchers updated responders that an air conditioning unit next to the home had caught fire and flames were spreading into the residence.

Remarkably, it was the family’s dog who first noticed the danger, waking up the homeowners and likely saving their lives. DeSoto firefighters arrived at the scene at 5:29 a.m. and found flames visible from a single-story residence. Crews immediately deployed a pre-connected hose line to begin attacking the blaze, and command soon called for two additional fire companies to assist.

The fire was brought under control by 6:01 a.m. No injuries were reported.