Puppy dies in lightning fire after waking owner

GARRISON — A golden retriever puppy died in a house fire started by lightning — after helping to save its owner. The dog’s body was later found in the ruins of the gutted house in the town of Garrison, in Putnam County. Garrison Fire Chief Rodney Tudor credits the 6-month-old puppy, named Ranger, with saving the life of Richard Shafran, who was asleep when lightning struck on Thursday night. The chief said Friday that the dog’s barking woke up Shafran, who managed to get out. Ranger got lost in the smoke and flames and died. Shafran was treated at Westchester Medical Center and released. The 200-year-old wood-frame house is about a mile from the home of former Gov. George Pataki.