A family dog in Baltimore is being called a hero after he gave his life to save an eight-month-old baby from a fire.
Six-year-old Polo is being remembered for his act of bravery after a house burst into flames on Aug. 14 with Viviana, 8 months, trapped on the second floor.
The owner of the dog and the mother of the child, Erika Poremski, said she had stepped outside at 10:45 p.m. when she turned around and saw the blaze engulf her home.
“I just heard [Viviana] crying and I couldn’t get to her,” Poremski said to NBC affiliate WBAL News. “I tried really hard, everyone in the neighbourhood tried. They were kicking the doors in and kicking the windows out.
When firefighters were able to reach Polo and Viviana, they saw that the pet had his body covering the little girl’s – ultimately shielding her from the flames.
“So that way nothing got to her. He just stayed there. She only had burns on her side because of it.”
WATCH: A family dog in Baltimore has died after it saved a eight-month-old baby from a house fire. Kai Reed reports.
Viviana remains in serious condition but it is believed her injuries could have been much worse if not for Polo.
According to WBAL, Viviana only suffered burns to some of her face and one arm and leg.
Poremski said Viviana is improving.
“She’s doing the best she can right now,” Poremski told WBAL.
However, the heartache of losing one family member to save another one was heartbreaking for Poremski.
“[Polo] was my first baby and now I lost him,” Poremski said to WBAL. “And I’m just praying I don’t lose [Viviana]. She’s all I have and it just happened so fast, I just don’t understand it. I just don’t know why this stuff happens.”
Poremski also received some injuries from the fire after trying to go back into the house and save her daughter.
No other injuries were reported but WBAL wrote the family has been displaced from their residence because of the fire.
Officials continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover costs. The campaign also posted an update on Wednesday reading in part:
“The doctors inform us that as of today, they do not believe that Viv will recover from her injuries. The doctors said that there was a lot of damage to her brain from the loss of oxygen and lack of blood flow. The doctors said that there is about 1 per cent chance of her recovering, and it would take a miracle.”