Well done Floki! Family dog's barking saves 12 from blaze

Wednesday 12 July 2023

"At first we were saying, 'Floki, shush', but then we realised he was not barking like he normally would – he seemed frantic – and when we went down to investigate we could smell smoke."

Jersey Fire and Rescue received 999 calls alerting them to a fire at around 00:30 on Monday in the Le Squez area of St. Clement after two motorcyles caught fire, with the flames spreading to the porch areas of surrounding homes.

12 people fled their properties during the blaze. While one had to be treated for smoke inhalation, police officers said the others thankfully escaped unharmed.

But things could have been different were it not for the heroic efforts of two-year-old dog, Floki, a German shepherd/husky mix.

Rick Jones and his wife, Samantha, were able to get themselves and their four children out of their St. Clement property and warn neighbours thanks to Floki's frantic barking.

Pictured: Two motorcyles caught fire, with the flames spreading to the porch areas of surrounding homes.

Mr Jones said: "At first we were saying, 'Floki, shush', but then we realised he was not barking like he normally would – he seemed frantic – and when we went down to investigate we could smell smoke.

"He definitely raised the alarm. Had he not woken us up we might have slept through everything.

"We were able to go bang on the neighbours' windows and wake them up," he added, although he noted that other residents had become aware of the fire at that point.

Posting about Floki’s efforts on the Jersey Dog Forum Facebook page, Mrs Jones said: "Big shout-out to our amazing pooch, Floki, who woke us last night to tell us there was a fire. The front of [the] neighbours’ property was alight and Floki barked in a way I’d never heard him – and don’t want to hear him do again.

"We were able to wake our children, get Floki out and alert other neighbours very quickly thanks to him and my wonderful man, Rick. Floki is wary of strangers, but through the chaos he sat quietly and patiently the entire time."

APPEAL...

Police and Jersey and Fire and Rescue are now investigating the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information is being asked to phone the police on 612612 or make an anonymous report by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or using their anonymous online form.