Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
RIVERDALE, Weber County — Two Riverdale residents are safe Saturday after their dog alerted them to an early morning fire in their mobile home, allowing them to escape.
Authorities responded to reports of a fire at Riverside Village, 4375 S. Weber River Drive, around 3:45 a.m. Capt. Matt Hennessy of the Riverdale Fire Department told KSL one occupant was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, but neither was seriously hurt. The dog, however, died in the blaze after running into the back bedroom.
Hennessy said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“They’re definitely very lucky that dog woke them up,” Hennessy said. “The smoke detectors did not activate for them, so they did not alert them. We’re not sure why that is. That’s under investigation. But the dog definitely was the reason that they woke up and were able to get out of that house.”
The Red Cross arrived on scene to assist the displaced residents. Hennessy said the fire likely started in the center of the trailer and spread to both sides. Riverdale Fire, with assistance from neighboring departments in Ogden, South Ogden, South Weber and Roy, controlled the fire in about 20 minutes.
Hennessy said the home is a “total loss,” and that the homes on either side sustained minor heat damage.
