Hero dog alerts family to fire

LIBERTY, Ind. (AP) - An eastern Indiana woman says her family's dog deserves a special treat after his barking saved her family from an early morning house fire.

Laura Sizemore says Dash, a 2-year-old border collie-Australian shepherd mix, began growling and barking about 3 a.m. Wednesday, awakening her and her husband, Stacy.

The couple, who found the house filled with smoke, quickly woke up their 11-year-old and 15-year-old sons and fled their house in Liberty about 65 miles east of Indianapolis.

Laura Sizemore says Dash is a very good dog and he's going to get a reward for alerting the family after the home's two smoke detectors apparently failed to work.

Officials say the fire started in a detached garage and spread to the back of the house.