JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo — A small dog that alerted sleeping residents to a fire at their home is now missing, according to West Metro Fire Rescue.
Crews from the fire department responded to a home in the 4700 block of South Ward Way shortly before 1:30 Wednesday morning. The home is in a neighborhood west of Simms Street between West Belleview and West Quincy Avenue.
The residents were asleep inside the home when the fire started but were woken up by the dog's barking and made it out safely. The dog named Cuddles is missing, West Metro Fire said.
Before crews arrived, flames from the fire were visible from several blocks away.
In an update around 11 a.m., West Metro Fire said that Cuddles was still missing even though crews had searched the home several times. The department said there is a large amount of debris and they're not sure if the dog made it out.
Neighbors have put out food and a dog bed with the hope that Cuddles did survive.
Her owners said Cuddles is chipped and if she's found an animal shelter should be able to identify her.
West Metro Fire said the fire started outside on the back porch and spread to the home. The fire burned through the floor of the family room and caused extensive damage to the first and second floors. Vinyl siding on a neighboring home melted due to heat exposure. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
