FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two dogs are being credited with helping to get people out of a burning home in Central Fresno.
The blaze broke out at a house on Dakota Avenue near Fresno Street around 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke pouring out of the single-story structure and a downed utility line in the backyard.
Investigators learned the home did not have working smoke detectors, and two people were asleep inside when the fire started. Fortunately, they were alerted by two small dogs that started barking.
"We really want to stress to our public the importance of having a properly installed and working smoke detector. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, having one doubles your chances of surviving an otherwise fatal fire," said Battalion Chief Lawrence French with the Fresno Fire Department.
Everyone made it out safely, but the home suffered extensive damage. Firefighters also had to cut large sections of the roof to check for smoldering hot spots because of the older construction style.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.