DUNEDIN, Fla., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A cat named Charley is credited with saving his owner from a fast-moving fire in their home in Dunedin, Fla.

John Griffin said the cat climbed on his face and clawed at him until he got out of bed and ran from the burning house, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported Tuesday.


"He's a good cat," said Griffin, 52, who escaped the burning one-story wood-frame home along with Charley and a family dog, none of whom were injured.

Flames were shooting 45 feet high and blistering the sides of the homes on either side of Griffin's house when firefighters arrived, the Times reported.

"The entire sky in this area of Dunedin was lit up. It was pretty spectacular," said Dunedin Fire Chief Bill McElligott.

Fire investigators said the blaze, which apparently started in a shed, appears suspicious, but has not been ruled arson.