PIQUA, Ohio -- Firefighters said a family dog is being credited with saving two people’s lives after a fire tore through a house in Piqua.

The fire happened shortly before 6 a.m. at the intersection of Harney and Margene drives.

Fire officials said they were called to the residence on a report of an attached garage fire. They said the fire started in the garage and spread to other parts of the house.

According to firefighters, a dog woke a woman and her son from a deep sleep and alerted them to the fire. The woman, her son and the dog managed to escape the flames.

However, Lt. Marty Grove said the dog became spooked and ran back into the house. Firefighters went into the structure and found the dog dead.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Rindler said, "I firmly believe the dog save the mother and son."

Officials said the dog was a Great Pyrenes named Jeter. He was 5-years-old. The homeowner, Linda Moss, said she has had the dog for about three years.

She said the dog was rescued from the Shelby Co. Dogpound. She said it had been abused, beatened and starved. Moss said the dog was about 120 pounds and was pure white in color.

Fire officials said there were no working smoke detectors in the house.

Damage to the structure, contents and two cars is estimated at $100,000.