A fire that ripped through a Zephyrhills home on Monday left a 69-year-old woman homeless and killed her six dogs, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue.

"My dogs started howling, and I didn't know what they were howling for," said homeowner Joann Steen, 69. "When I got up, I noticed there was a fire behind my refrigerator."

Steen said when she saw the flames she panicked and opened the door, which made things worse.

"I wanted to get the dogs out, and that's when it all just bellowed in with the smoke and stuff," she said. "I couldn't see where I was going." 

Steen said she has no doubt that her dogs that died in the fire ended up saving her life.

"They woke me up, and they got me out. They did. They died saving me," she said. "That's what the fire inspector said – that they actually died saving my life, and I wouldn't be here right now if they didn't."​

Steen said the fire started in the attic, where firefighters found four dead rats along with chewed wires. Steen said she does not have the money to rebuild her home.

"I don't have any insurance," she said. "I'm just going to have to go day by day." ​

If you'd like to help you can email her at joann_steen@yahoo.com