Sandy’s call to action saves lives

Gigi Carter and the other residents of seven apartments at 54 Warwick quickly fled the building after Sandy’s call to action.

Sandy’s owner, Jean Durham, said she and Carter are long-time friends. After Carter’s dog died a few years ago, Sandy, a 6 year-old pom-terrier, has occasionally slept over at Carter’s apartment, and this was the case that night.

In the early morning hours, Sandy, who slept on Carter’s bed, woke her by licking her face. The woman simply brushed him away.

Sandy persisted and when his licks failed to rouse Carter, the little dog began jumping on her.

Carter says when she opened her eyes she saw flames shooting up the walls of her apartment. She jumped out of bed and woke her boarder.

Carter said her bed was ablaze within minutes.

Carter and her boarder ran into the hallway of the apartment building shouting ‘Fire.” The neighbour across the hall called 911 and the alarm in the hallway sounded immediately.

Digby firefighters were quickly on scene, and a mutual aid call brought help from Smith’s Cove and Bear River fire departments. “I don’t know for sure what would have happened if not for Sandy,” said Carter. “But I don’t think I would be here telling this story.”