Benji the terrier a hero after Casula house fire

Benji the terrier has proven to be his owner’s best friend after saving him from a blaze that engulfed the second storey of his Casula home.

Benji the terrier saved his owner’s life during a house fire in Casula. Picture: Dean Asher

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Benji the terrier has proven to be his owner’s best friend after saving him from a blaze that engulfed the second storey of his Casula home.

Neil Dalton, 54, was asleep when the fire broke out about 1am on Monday and it was Benji’s barking that stirred him from slumber.

Police and firefighters were called to the Kendall Dr property, which was significantly damaged after the blaze.

The fire damaged much of the second storey. Picture: Dean Asher

Mr Dalton has a disability and is cared for by his brother Warren, who believes the fire was caused by a battery jump starter that overheated in his bedroom.

“Benji was the hero. Benji was barking at (Neil) and barking at the fire and got him up and he ran down downstairs,” Warren said.

The brothers have since relocated to emergency housing as they contemplate what they have lost.

The fire broke out about 1am on Monday morning. Picture: Cindy Ngo

“There’s like 95 per cent of everything upstairs is gone, maybe a couple of things here and there (are) salvageable,” Warren said.

Precious possessions, including jewellery passed down through the family and hundreds of Star Wars collectors items, are now gone.