WOODSTOCK – A Woodstock man’s dog saved his life Friday night when fire began to engulf his home on Route 26, fire Chief Geffrey Inman said.

Robert Springer was asleep in his residence at 1099 South Main St. about 8:20 p.m. when he was alerted to the danger, Inman said early Saturday morning as he cleaned up at the fire station.

“His dog woke him up by licking his face,” he said.

Springer, his dog and cat all got out safely.

There were no injuries.

“That’s the No. 1 priority,” the chief emphasized.

The cause of the fire is undetermined, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating, he said.

Springer called the Oxford County Regional Communications Center in Paris for help at 8:23 p.m.

About three dozen firefighters from four towns battled the flames that engulfed the one-story wood-framed residence, which is a short distance from Mollyockett Motel. Springer’s nearby garage had caught fire by the time firefighters arrived, the chief said, and they put that fire out immediately.

“We saved the garage,” Inman said, but not the house.

The property is insured, Inman said.

Springer’s wife, whose name was not available early Saturday morning, arrived at the scene during the evening, along with other family members, he said.

The American Red Cross put the couple up in the nearby motel.

Fire departments from West Paris, Greenwood, Bethel and Paris assisted Woodstock, along with Oxford fire police, Tri-Town Rescue and Med-Care ambulance services.

“They all did a fantastic job. Well trained all of them, and great teamwork,” Inman said.

Water from a hydrant at Trap Corner and tanker shuttles kept them supplied.

“We never run out of water,” he said.

Inman had no monetary estimate of loss early Saturday.

“That’s the insurance company’s job,” he said.

Copy the Story Link