A fire early Friday claimed most of a home overlooking a main intersection, but the homeowner and his dog escaped, thanks in part to a Bath Township, Ohio, police officer, reports Ohio.com.
The fire began around 2 a.m., and part-time Officer Lane Watson, 26, drove by about 10 minutes later and saw flames.
"He was just driving along his normal patrol," Bath Township Chief Mike McNeely said of the rookie officer.
Watson pulled over and raced up the winding driveway, McNeely said. The officer beat on the door with his baton, causing the dog to bark as the homeowner exited the burning building.
Police reported the homeowner suffered minor injuries.
