Published: March 04, 2009 08:10 am      

Wiley Ford couple escaped fire thanks to two dogs that perished

WILEY FORD, W.Va. — Laura Husk and Troy Oster escaped an apparent accidental fire that destroyed their mobile home early Tuesday, thanks to their two dogs that perished in the blaze.

“Our dogs were barking and scratching at our door. We then saw the flames and got out. The smoke detector wasn’t even going off yet,” said Husk, who moved into the residence in January. The owner of the property located in an alley between State and Spring streets is William Jeffrey of Fort Ashby.

“We were going to try to put the fire out, but our pipes were frozen and we only had a little container of water,” said Husk, who is a nurse assistant at The Lions Center on Seton Drive. Troy works at the Dusty Trails in Wiley Ford.

“Our rat terrier, Zero, got out too, but he went back in to save the other dog,” she said.

Zero perished in the fire along with the couple’s basset hound pup, Baxter. “The firefighters found them together in our bedroom. The dogs couldn’t see their way out,” said Husk as she choked back tears.

The couple lost all their belongings in the 6:05 a.m. fire. The American Red Cross is providing immediate assistance. Husk and Oster are now staying with Troy’s parents in Wiley Ford.

Wiley Ford Volunteer Deputy Chief Sean Malone said the fire appeared to be accidental. “We’re looking at the furnace as a possible cause,” he said.

Approximately 30 volunteer firefighters responded, including companies from Wiley Ford, Ridgeley, Short Gap, Patterson Creek, Fort Ashby and District 16. Bowling Green firefighters stood by for Ridgeley fire company during the incident.

Husk sobbed. “You never know how much your dogs can love you. They will risk their lives for you.

“You just never expect to lose everything,” she said. “It doesn’t mean a thing when your life is in danger.”

Anyone wishing to assist the family may call (240) 580-5172.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.