A local dog could be categorized as a hero after his barks
served to awaken his sleeping owner and save him from a house
fire.

Woody, a one-year-old black poodle mix, had a day unlike any
other when an accidental fire broke out at approximately 2:45 p.m.
at the residence of Ed and Cindy Greek, 1149 East Main St.

As Ed Greek slept in his recliner, Woody became alarmed by the
heavy smoke and began barking.

“He was going crazy,” Ed Greek said. “I woke up and kept asking
him what was wrong. Then I smelled smoke and heard a crackling
noise. When I started walking around to figure out what was wrong,
the crackling got louder.”

A passer-by noticed smoke pouring out of the second story window
and called 9-1-1.

“We received reports of a structure fire and responded on scene
to find heavy smoke from the second story and kitchen area. We were
able to knock down that fire down, but it spread to the attic,”
said Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Kelley.

“We had a little trouble reaching the attic, but once we got up
there we knocked it down pretty well. We then ventilated and left
the scene after about four hours on the job. We got called back
about an hour later to put out some hot spots – everything is out
now.”

As for the Greeks, the culmination of six hours of events has
left them with a feeling of sadness. The Greeks lived at their 1149
East Main St. address for forty years, and are now unsure of what
can be salvaged from their home.

“We haven’t gone inside to see what damage there is – the kids
peeked around, but the fire crew had to come back so we haven’t
gotten in there,” said Cindy Greek.

“There is heavy smoke and water damage inside the house, other
than that we are not sure yet,” said Kelley.

Along with the Derrick City crew, responding to the structure
fire were the Rew Volunteer Fire Department, the City of Bradford
Fire Department, Limestone, N.Y., Volunteer Fire Department and
Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department. The Knapps Creek,
N.Y., Volunteer Fire Department and another department from
Limestone were on stand-by, according to Kelley.

The Greeks have been put up in a hotel by the American Red Cross
and have many family members in the area to offer support.

“I spent so many years, so much time and money on that house,”
said Ed Greek. Thanks to Woody, he is here to be sure that does not
all go to waste.