The dog and the homeowner were able to escape in Maryland.

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A Maryland man and his dog escaped a massive early-morning fire thanks to a sharp-eared pup and a passerby who stopped to warn him the house was burning, investigators said.

The fire broke out shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, in the 34000 block of Wango Road in Parsonsburg, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. 

Officials said the two-story wood-frame home was already burning on the front porch when it was first discovered by a passing motorist.

Investigators said the homeowner heard a “pop” inside the home before his dog alerted him. 

Moments later, the passerby stopped to tell him the exterior of the house was on fire. Both the homeowner and his dog made it out safely.

Forty-five firefighters from the Powellville Volunteer Fire Department responded and brought the blaze under control in about one and a half hours. No injuries were reported. One occupant is displaced.

The fire marshal said the smoke alarms were present and activated. Investigators determined the fire started outside on the front porch and was accidental, caused by an electrical failure at an outlet.

Damage is estimated at $90,000 to the structure and $20,000 to the contents.

It remains under investigation.