In August 2016, a house fire broke out in Baltimore, Maryland. Erika Poremski had stepped outside to her car when she saw the home in flames; her eight-month-old daughter Viviana and the family dog Polo were still upstairs. Smoke and fire kept her from reaching them. When firefighters arrived, they found Polo covering Viviana with his body. The baby was injured but survived; Polo died in the fire. TIME recorded the case based on CBS News reporting and published a photo of Viviana with Polo credited to Erika Poremski.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States | Polo

Fire entered ordinary life without warning

Public reports place the fire on a Sunday in August 2016. Erika Poremski had only stepped out to her car when she turned back and saw the house filling with flames and smoke. Her eight-month-old daughter Viviana was upstairs, and Polo was inside with her.

The stairs a mother could not reach

Poremski tried again and again to get back inside. TIME's report, citing CBS News, described smoke so heavy she could not get past the stairs; parts of the burning doorway began to fall, and she suffered burns to her hands and face. She knew her child was inside, but fire and smoke held her back.

What firefighters found

When firefighters entered, they found Polo covering Viviana with his body. Poremski later said her daughter suffered burns mainly to her arm and side because Polo had protected her. Polo did not survive, but in his final moments he placed himself between a baby and the fire.

Why this record matters

Polo's story is not a neat miracle. It is protection purchased with a life. He had no training, no command, and no time to consider heroism. He simply lived with this family, loved this family, and in the darkest moment used his body to take the fire. This archive preserves him because the love of family animals can be silent, but heavy enough to hold up a child's life.

Timeline

• 2016-08 A Baltimore house caught fire while Viviana and Polo were inside.
• During the fire Erika Poremski repeatedly tried to enter but was stopped by smoke and flames and was burned.
• Fire rescue Firefighters found Polo covering Viviana; the baby survived, and Polo died in the fire.
• 2016-08-20 TIME reported the case and credited the photo to Erika Poremski.

Public Sources

• TIME: Family Dog Dies After Shielding Baby From House Fire
• TIME: National Puppy Day 2017 dogs that saved children's lives