Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fire couple say dog saved their lives
A relieved man says his husky saved his life after he and his girlfriend escaped uninjured from a flat fire.
Alan Charles, 21, and his girlfriend Keely Aldridge, 25, were evacuated from a flat in Newtown Green in the early hours of Sunday after a fire broke out in the stairwell.
Fire crews were called to the building around 4am after Alan’s dog, Ruby, jumped out of the first-floor window and was found wandering near the main road by a neighbour who lives in a nearby block.
Alan said the six-month-old dog must have sensed a problem when the fire started and panicked and fled the building.
He said: “When my neighbour woke me up saying he had found Ruby, I immediately asked him if there was a fire in my block.
“He said he couldn’t see anything, so I asked him to check again and that’s when he forced the main door open and told me what was going on. I called the fire brigade who were very quick and got me out promptly.”
Alan and Keeley were taken to the William Harvey Hospital by ambulance as a precautionary measure but did not suffer any serious injuries.
Alan added: “It was scary. I was very scared while I was waiting for the firemen to ventilate the block before they could take us both out.
“The fire was in the stairwell and there is a little smoke damage in my flat.
“I think Ruby jumped out of the window as a way of getting help and I’m glad she did.
“She is a clever dog and if it wasn’t for her or my neighbour I wouldn’t be here now.”
Firefighters were at the scene for nearly an hour.
It is not yet known how the fire started but police were called and an investigation is under way.
A spokesman said: “The cause of the fire is being treated as unexplained, and inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of it.”
Any witnesses can contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 05-0291.