A family’s dog died shielding their 8-month-old baby from a raging fire at their Baltimore home earlier this week.
According to Baltimore City Fire Department spokesman Samuel Johnson, the fire was reported at 10:45 p.m. Sunday, reports WBALTV. Firefighters said that when they got into the house to rescue the infant, they found the family’s dog, Polo, covering her body with his.
Firefighters were able to resuscitate Viviana, the baby. She only suffered burns to her side because of Polo.
“She only had burns on her side because of it,” Erika Poremski, Viviana’s mother, said. “He stayed with her the whole time in the bedroom and wouldn’t even come downstairs to get out the door.”
Poremski said that after a power outage, she lit a candle. She then walked out to her car so she could charge her cellphone. A few minutes later, she turned around to see her house in flames.
Johnson said that when the firefighters arrived, the two story row home was in flames. Smoke came out of the first and second story windows. Johnson said they are trying to figure out what caused the fire.
Poremski said that she tried to rescue her daughter before the fire department arrived. She had burns on her face and hands from trying to get in to save Viviana.
“I just heard her crying and I couldn’t get to her,” Poremski said. “I tried really hard, everyone in the neighborhood tried. They were kicking the doors in and kicking the windows out. I couldn’t (get her out). Nobody could.”
Viviana suffered burns to her face, arm and side. Poremski said that her infant daughter is still in critical condition.
“She’s doing the best she can right now,” Poremski said. “And she’s fighting and that’s it. She’s a really good girl I just hope she’s OK.”
People have set up a GoFundMe page for Poremski and her daughter. As of Thursday, almost $14,000 had been raised.
Send tips to amber@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.