A one-year-old sausage dog named Wally saved the lives of five children after alerting its owner to a house fire in Swindon.

Chris Bevington, 39, and Charlotte Coultas, 39, live in Park North on Welcombe Avenue in the school house but this was shattered on Saturday as the house caught fire.

“At the time there were five children in the house, three of mine and two friends visiting,” said Charlotte.

“My partner was outside, and the family dog was present too. I was out of the house, shopping at Greenbridge.”

Swindon Advertiser: Charlotte, Chris and their children have been left devastated by Saturday's blaze.Charlotte, Chris and their children have been left devastated by Saturday's blaze. (Image: Charlotte Coultas)

The disastrous event happened at around 3pm in the afternoon but thanks to a truly heroic effort from the family’s dog, Wally, no fatalities occurred.

“Chris was outside fixing his van when the dog came out and barked, running back to the house and returning, barking again,” explained Charlotte.

“My partner could not hear the fire alarm from outside.”

Swindon Advertiser: Wally is only a year old but was quick to react as the flames grew.Wally is only a year old but was quick to react as the flames grew. (Image: Charlotte Coultas)

Wally is a miniature dachshund sausage dog and is only one year old but his help on Saturday saved the lives of the children inside.

“He’s a good dog, he’s amazing,” said Charlotte.

“He is so friendly to all the school children who see him in the garden every day.”

After being alerted by Wally, Chris was fast to act and rescue the five children from inside despite the flames growing quickly.

“Once Chris realised there was a lot of fire he got the children out of the house,” said Charlotte.

“He tried to put it out himself with an extinguisher but the flames were too big and it got out of hand.”

Swindon Advertiser: The damage left behind by the fire was devastating and the building has been declared structurally unstable.The damage left behind by the fire was devastating and the building has been declared structurally unstable. (Image: Charlotte Coultas)

The fire services arrived within four minutes of being called but severe damage had already been done to the Swindon property.

“Most of downstairs is written off and although the fire itself did not reach upstairs, the heat and smoke damage is extensive,” explained Charlotte.

“Anything with a surface is now covered with the black tar-like smoke damage. We have been told to expect full loss of everything as barely anything is going to be salvageable.”

Nothing has been said yet in the way of an official reason for the blaze, but the family have their suspicions.

“We believe it was a charger in a downstairs bedroom,” revealed Charlotte.

Swindon Advertiser: Wally is well-loved by the family and the children who see him every day on the way to school.Wally is well-loved by the family and the children who see him every day on the way to school. (Image: Charlotte Coultas)

The family have not been allowed back into the house as it has been deemed to be no longer structurally stable.

“We are now all split up, living in different family members’ homes while we sort this,” said Charlotte.

A GoFundMe appeal was set up in the family’s name on Sunday to help raise funds.

“Thanks to anyone who has already donated or is going to donate,” added Charlotte.

“We have been overwhelmed with people’s support so far!”

If you would like to help the family, you can find the GoFundMe page here.