Dog Hailed as Hero for Saving Three from Ellensburg House Fire

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A pet dog named Buddy is being praised as a hero after alerting three occupants of an Ellensburg, Washington home to a fire, allowing them to escape safely. The blaze on February 11 resulted in the home being a total loss, though Buddy and the three residents made it out unharmed. Tragically, a pet cat did not survive the fire.

Why it matters

House fires pose a serious threat to public safety, and the quick actions of Buddy the dog likely prevented a tragic outcome in this case. The incident highlights the important role pets can play in alerting residents to danger, as well as the need for all homes to have working smoke detectors and proper fire safety practices.

The details

According to the Ellensburg Daily Record, the fire broke out around 7:15 pm on February 11 in the 300 block of South Pearl Street. One of the home's occupants said Buddy the dog started barking louder than usual, prompting a roommate to investigate and discover a "wall of fire." This allowed all three residents to evacuate safely before firefighters arrived and battled the blaze, which was brought under control by around 8:45 pm. While Buddy and the three people made it out unharmed, a pet cat perished in the fire. Officials are still investigating the exact cause of the blaze, but have reminded residents about the importance of working smoke detectors and proper disposal of smoking materials.

• The fire broke out around 7:15 pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
• Firefighters had the flames knocked down by around 8:45 pm on February 11.

What’s next

Officials say they aren't certain what the exact cause of the blaze was just yet, since there were a number of possible ignition sources identified during the preliminary investigation.