They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and heroic Polo took his friendship seriously when he bravely protected eight-month-old Vivianna Poremski from a home fire.
When flames ripped through a home in Baltimore, USA, Polo the pet dog and Vivianna were trapped inside a bedroom in the house.
Vivianna’s mum, Erika, had only stepped outside to get something from her car and when she turned around she saw a fire raging in her house.
Polo saved the infant’s life by not leaving her side as the flames engulfed the room. Tragically Polo lost his life doing so and Vivianna has burns to one side of her body and is in a critical condition in hospital.
Erika told US news channel WBLATV, “She only had burns on her side because of it (what Polo did).
“He (Polo) stayed with her the whole time in the bedroom and wouldn’t even come downstairs to get out the door.”
When fire crews arrived at the scene, they found the pet dog and Vivianna in the bedroom. Paramedics were able to work on Vivianna to resuscitate her.
Polo died after his act of bravery.
Erika fought back tears as she described how she lost her ‘first baby’.
“He (Polo) was my first baby and now I lost him.
“And I’m just praying I don’t lose her. She’s all I have and it just happened so fast.”
Erika and Vivianna
The Baltimore City Fire Department, who received the report of the incident and were the first to arrive on the scene said, “When units arrived they found a two story row home with heavy fire and smoke showing from the first and second floor of the location.
“Initial units on the scene confirmed that there was a six month old baby trapped on the second floor of the home.
“Those units made entry into the home and were able to rescue the infant.
“The fire was placed under control within 30 minutes.
“The six month old was transported to an area hospital and is listed in serious condition.”
An investigation is taking place to find out the cause of the blaze.
In the meantime our thoughts and prayers go out to Vivianna as she recovers in hospital.
RIP Polo.
