BRIEF: Family’s dog, closed door saved woman’s life in Sharon house fire

Jan. 23--SHARON -- No one was hurt in a fire at about 9 p.m. Thursday that heavily damaged the house at 514 McClure Ave. in Sharon.

Amber Hipkins, who lived in the two-story house with her mother, Susan Hipkins, was asleep and alerted by the family's dog, fire Chief Bob Fiscus said.

"She was sleeping in a back room and woke up when the dog started barking," he said. "She said she could hear a popping noise and she ran out."

Her mother was not home, Fiscus said.

Flames were coming out of the windows when firefighters from Sharon and Farrell arrived. They put out the fire in about 20 minutes.

The fire gutted the first floor and caused heavy smoke damage throughout the house. Fiscus said it is likely a total loss.

Owner Frank Protth had insurance but Ms. Hipkins did not, Fiscus said, adding that there were no working smoke detectors in the house.

"The dog and the fact that her bedroom door was closed very likely saved her life," Fiscus said.

American Red Cross had contacted the family to offer emergency shelter, he said.

The fire was accidental but the cause is still being investigated, Fiscus said.

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