In a heart-wrenching incident, a San Antonio family is praising their dog as a hero for alerting them to a fire at their west-side home. Tragically, the family managed to escape, but their faithful canine companion, Dingbat, perished in the blaze.
Albert Enriquez, the homeowner, expressed his grief, stating, “Like I said, she’s in heaven now.” The fire broke out early Tuesday morning on Tampico Street near South Zamora, where Dingbat bravely warned the family of imminent danger.
Enriquez recalled how Dingbat’s persistent barking prompted him and his wife to investigate. “She let us know that we were in trouble,” he said. As the front porch became engulfed in flames, Enriquez attempted to open the door, only to be warned by Dingbat of the growing danger.
Despite their efforts to escape through the back, Dingbat went missing, prompting Enriquez to return to search for her. The intense heat and flames forced him to retreat, resulting in severe burns on his back, neck, and hands. Fortunately, Enriquez was discharged from the hospital on Thursday.
Fire officials suspect that a heat lamp and a car battery used to keep the family’s dogs warm outside caused the fire. The Enriquez family, who has resided in the home for over a century, lost cherished memories, including those of Dingbat, whose photos were also lost in the fire.
Facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, the family is determined to honor Dingbat’s memory. “I’m here to see if I can find her remains to try and give her a proper burial. It’s just sad that she had to be the one to go,” lamented Enriquez.