A 3-alarm fire broke out in the attic of a Chelsea, Massachusetts, home around mid-day Friday, leaving about half a dozen relatives who live there at least temporarily displaced.
"They were met with heavy fire in the attic and they were able to make a good stop here," Chelsea Deputy Fire Chief Paul Eaves said.
Ivan Guillaume was the only person home at the time the fire broke out. He didn’t want to go on camera, but he said he has his nephew’s dog Callie to thank for alerting him to the smoke and flames before the fire alarm even went off.
"His dog was down in the basement, I heard she was whining something like that," Guillaume said
Callie’s persistent whining led Guillaume to look around the house and realize there was smoke in the attic. He immediately called 9-1-1.
"The guy said 'what, what,' I said 'I have a fire from here,' he said 'what’s the address,' I said '120 Clark Ave' and not even 10 minutes that’s it," Guilluame said.
Then he rushed outside the burning home.
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"I didn’t have time to get the dog because they told me get out from the house," Guillaume said.
Luckily firefighters could hear Callie barking and rescued her before the fire spread.
"There was a dog that was trapped in the basement and we got the dog out too," Deputy Chief Eaves said.
Guillaume says he is so grateful that both he and Callie are alive.
"The dog give me a good sign today of something warm, that’s pretty good, that’s why I love her!" he said.
Fire officials say while they believe the fire started in the attic, they haven't been able to pinpoint the exact origin and cause.
They do not suspect foul play. Fire officials estimate the damage at more than $100,000.
