Hurlock fire has family okay, but all due to their dog

HURLOCK, Md – The Hurlock community is pitching in to help Kevin and Crystal George after they lost their home and dog in a tragic fire.

The dog’s bark is what alerted Crystal that something was wrong.

Libby Beam, the sister of Krystal, details the scene to 47ABC.

“She heard the dog yelling and barking constantly, and that’s when she woke up and she was choking and there was nothing but smoke in the bedroom, she ran outside and realized what was going on, she tried to come back in and try to get the dog. But the location of where the fire was with the dog being in the kitchen not thinking clearly she was hollering for the dog to come and she couldn’t get the dog out,” Beam said. 

Even after the house went up in flames, the George’s were not hurt and neither was their 15th-month-old child. But the situation could have ended much worse had it not been for Ginger, their rescue pitbull.

“She’s still in a very big shock, with the dog and witnessing that tragedy. That dog saved her life, without that dog my sister would not be here today,” Beam said. 

The George’s didn’t have rental insurance- so they are left to start from scratch.

Traci Tull, the owner of Tullz Treasures in Hurlock sprang into action and started asking the community for help. Her husband Mark was one of 40 firefighters on the scene that day.

“So Sunday morning what started out what was gonna be a hundred dollar donation from my husband and I from the store just to help them out in about 15 min turned into 1500,” said Tull. 

The George family used the money first to honor their brave Ginger.

“I have been told through donations raise we’ve been able to get the dog cremated so that the dog will be able to stay with the family .”

The George’s are living at Crystal’s mother’s home, who is currently battling cancer.

While the donations have been comforting there is still a long way to go- finding a new home is their first task- and ask any realtors to help with their mission

Traci continues, “currently the biggest need is they are looking for a property in Talbot County or Dorchester county if anybody can help with that.”

Despite all of the loss, the family says they feel lucky to have a supportive family and to keep a roof over their heads.