US dog helps save neighbours’ lives after noticing fire

An American dog owner says his beloved pet likely helped save his neighbours' lives after she was the first to notice a fire across the street.

Lucy, an Australian Shepherd Labrador mix, sensed something was wrong when she looked out a window and quickly alerted her owner.

The dog's owner, Douglas O'Connor, said he heard a “loud, screaming-type bark”.

“It was totally different to her just barking … a usual bark,” he said.

After opening the curtains, Mr O'Connor and his wife saw the fire and called for help, with firefighters arriving to extinguish the flames.

The fire at that stage had only impacted the homeowner's workshop.