A Florence woman is crediting her dog for saving her life after a fire broke out inside her home on Sunday.
Beverley Schneider says she was cooking a steak on the grill when she went inside for a few minutes -- and that's when she believes there was a propane malfunction.
"When I looked out the window, i could see a flame going up the window by the kitchen and it exploded and it engulfed the house so fast it was unbelievable," Schneider told MTN News.
Multiple residents report hearing a loud explosion and calling authorities while neighbors say they saw the home in flames.
Schneider, who lost her husband this last November, says she struggles going down steps and moving because of her multiple sclerosis. She says thanks to the early alert form her dog Maddie, she was able to get out alive.
"[I] went to see why she was barking. There wasn't anyone at the front door. I said 'there is nobody here' and she just wouldn't stop," Schneider recalled. "She's the one that rousted me to get off the couch and see what was going on.:
All of Schneider's pets made it out without harm.
Multiple fire agencies responded to the scene on Hidden Valley Road including Florence, Stevensville, Three Mile and the Missoula Rural Fire District.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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(first report)
A Florence woman and her pets are safe after escaping a structure fire on Sunday.
The female says she was cooking steaks on the barbecue when she believes there was a propane tank malfunction that caused a loud explosion.
She says she was inside during the explosion and credits her dog to alerting her and leading her outside.
The garage, deck and roof received significant damage from the flames.
The female and all her pets escaped without injury.
The incident occurred on Hidden Valley Road in Florence.
Multiple agencies responded, including Florence Fire, Stevensville, Three Mile and Missoula.
Crews are still on scene investigating the incident.
This is a developing story. Stay with KPAX for the latest.
