A family of five survived unscathed after a fire destroyed parts of their house near Teluk Intan, Perak on Wednesday, all thanks to a four-legged hero.
When a blaze broke out at the family’s single-storey terrace house early that morning, their puppy, named Anandaveli, repeatedly pulled on the clothes of her owner Vimala Arumugam who was fast asleep.
“I thought she (Anandaveli) was thirsty and was trying to find water.
“But suddenly I turned around and saw what happened - there was a fire burning strongly.
“I was so scared I called out to my children and ordered them to quickly get out (of the house),” the 53-year-old told Malaysiakini.
Recounting the incident, Vimala said after she managed to get her three children, aged 23, 22, and 18, out of the house to safety, she realised her husband was still inside.
In a panic, her youngest son Vimalan went back inside and jumped through the burning middle section of the house to reach his father who was in a room at the back.
The father, 58-year-old Chandrasekar Marimuthu Naidu is semi-paralysed and unable to move without assistance.
“(My son) picked up his father, opened the back door, and exited the house.
“My second son quickly went into the kitchen to take out the gas cylinder and place it outside, we didn't want anything worse to happen in the kitchen,” she said.
Firefighters arrived at around 5.30am and managed to put out the blaze one hour later, however, the cause of the fire remains unclear.
Speaking via video call from her burnt residence, Vimala estimated the damage to be about RM50,000. The family is staying with relatives for the time being, she said.
She also shared that they have received support and assistance from the local community, including aid from DAP’s Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson Terence Naidu, who broke the story to the media earlier.
MIC’s Teluk Intan coordinator T Murugiah sent help as well along with other local organisations and leaders, Vimala added.
Not just man's best friend
Vimala credited her eight-month-old puppy for saving her family and said the situation would have been unimaginable if not for Anandaveli's relentless attempt to wake her up.
“If she did not wake me up I think we would all be dead already,” she said before turning her camera to the hero-pup, who was lazing on the floor.
She said the puppy and their other two pet dogs have always been like family members to her, and they have kept her company during times when her children were not around.
“(Whenever) I feel sad or happy I will share it with them,” she added. - Mkini
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