Heroic dog dies while alerting family to house fire in SE Houston

HOUSTON -- A heroic dog became a southeast side family's fire alarm and paid with its life.

It happened just after 2am in the 4900 block of Yellowstone in southeast Houston.

Eyewitness News was first on scene and obtained exclusive video of the massive flames as they took over the home.

The family said the big reason they were able to escape with their lives is because a family pet named Lacey.

They say Lacey began barking until the family woke up. When one of the family members opened the front porch, she saw Lacey engulfed in flames.

That's when everyone woke up and ran outside to the back door and called firefighters.

"Unfortunately she was our alarm she has to pay it with her life," said Maria Marquez. "We wouldn't have made it would have the smoke would have choked us."

Family told firefighters they last saw Lacey chewing on a Halloween decoration. Crews believe that sparked the flames.

Crews also say they found a second dog dead inside the home.

An 84-year-old woman who was living in the home said the dog they found was her dog named Petey. She said she believes her dog went looking for her and he may have died from smoke inhalation.