A loyal dog was found lying by his owner’s side after valiantly trying to warn him of a fire in their home. Relatives of a partially deaf man believe his dog tried in vain to save him but the pair succumbed to the smoke.

Seventy-six-year old Don Wilson was found upstairs with his Border Collie, Max, by his side. A relative who asked not to be named, told BBC News, "Max stayed with him and died with him. He was a really good dog."

Wilson did not have central heating so he lit a fire in his bedroom fireplace to keep warm during the cold weather in Derby, England. Authorities said the fireplace did not have a fireguard and this possibly caused the fire. Wilson’s relatives believe he had a smoke alarm but it might not have been attached to the ceiling or he may not have been able to hear it.

The relative said, "Max was brilliant because Uncle Don was partially deaf and when the phone rang Max would tell him. The lady next door heard noises in the night and we think Max was trying to tell him the house was on fire and wake him up."

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• house fire
• Derby
• England
• border collie