But Hammonton police say the young dog died in the fire.
Detective John Panarello says none of the adults and children in the ranch-style home were hurt. All were sleeping when the dog began barking around 4:30 a.m., and when they went to investigate they soon realized the house was engulfed in flames.
As they fled the home, a newspaper delivery person who happened to be in the area noticed the flames and called 911.
The cause of the fire, which apparently began in the back of the house and destroyed most of the residence, remains under investigation.