Dog saves owner from house fire
Update: Atascadero Fire Capt. Bill White issued an update Monday afternoon correcting the date of the fire. It occurred on Sunday afternoon, not Saturday as previously reported.
Fire was caused by candles left burning, fire department reports
–On Sunday, at approximately 3:47 p.m., the Atascadero City Fire Department received a report of a structure fire 5280 Dulzura. First arriving engines found a single story, single family residence with heavy fire and smoke coming from a bedroom window located at the front of the structure. The fire was spreading to the remaining areas of the structure as fire crews began suppression efforts. Firefighters were able to hold the fire to the bedroom of origin, but the interior of the residence experienced severe to moderate smoke and heat damage.
The cause of the fire was determined to be candles left burning in the bedroom of origin, according to the fire department. The occupant, Kevin Buchanon, was alerted to the fire when his young dog pawed and scratched for him to wake up.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire within 20 minutes of arriving. Crews remained at scene for approximately three hours for salvage, overhaul and investigation. There was a total loss of $15,000 for structural repairs and $3,500 contents. The owner of the property is Diane Nichols.
The fire department reminds residents to extinguish candles prior to retiring for the night. Also, make sure to have working smoke detectors and the batteries are changed twice a year.
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