Erika Poremski quickly stepped outside her Baltimore home to get something from her car, only to turn around seconds later and see her house engulfed in flames.
Poremski ran toward the house and heard her eight-month-old daughter, Viviana, crying, but she was unable to get to her. Neighbors came over to help and began kicking doors and windows in, but no one was able to reach her.
That’s when firefighters arrived at the scene and quickly ran inside the house. They came back out with not just Viviana, but with an amazing story to tell. Firefighters described what they saw when they were inside the home.
When they got to Viviana, they discovered the family’s dog, Polo, lying on top of her, shielding her from the fire and smoke. He stayed with her the entire time instead of running downstairs to escape. Thanks to Polo, Viviana suffered way less burns than she would’ve if Polo wasn’t shielding her body.
Sadly, Polo didn’t make it, but he died a hero. Polo and Viviana were always together and shared a very special bond, so it’s no surprise that Polo risked his life to save her.
Viviana was taken to the hospital for treatment and healing day-to-day. Poremski suffered burns on her hands and face from trying to enter the home.
Investigators are still trying to find the cause of the fire.
