Hay River (Jan 24/05) - A pet dog is being hailed as a hero for waking two people up when a fire broke out Friday morning in a Hay River home.

Homeowner Vern Steinwand says it is quite possible his dog's barking saved his life and that of a guest in the house.

"He was a hero before this ever happened," says Steinwand of his two-year-old cocker spaniel, Scooby Doo. "He just watches the place."

The homeowner says he was asleep in his bedroom and the guest was sleeping on a couch in the living room, when they were awakened by Scooby Doo's loud barking at about 7 a.m.

"He knew there was a problem," Steinwand says. "He was barking loud and hanging around the front door."

Although not a large dog, Scooby Doo has a big bark, his owner noted.

Steinwand, 52, says who knows what would have happened if Scooby Doo had not sounded the alarm. "I might not be here today."

When Steinwand woke up, he smelled smoke from the fire, which was burning in an empty back bedroom.

"I opened the door and it was just filled with smoke," he recalls.

"The whole area underneath the bed was on fire and every time I opened the door the flames flared up."

The fire department was called but Steinwand tried to put the fire out himself, using a juice pitcher filled with water.

The homeowner is not sure how the fire started, but a spokesperson for the Hay River Fire Department says it may have been caused by a candle.

The RCMP say the fire is not considered suspicious.

The home was equipped with a fire alarm, but Steinwand says the battery was probably low. "It was just beeping really quietly."

The back bedroom was gutted by the fire and the rest of the house suffered smoke damage.

Steinwand estimates the damage at about $15,000.

The house, located on 104 Street in Hay River, is insured.